Zevenarmige kandelaar en tafel met het toonbrood

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2233

Art Historical Context

**Zevenarmige kand en tafel met het toonod** (Seven-Branched Candelabrum and with the Showbread), created by Lucas Cranach the between 1523 and 1526, captures sacred furnishings from the ancient Jewish Tabernacle. This intimate print, measuring just 226 × 145 mm, depicts the ornate seven-armed menorah and the table bearing the ritual showbread, symbols of divine presence and covenant from the Old Testament. Cranach, a master of the Northern Renaissance, renders these objects with meticulous detail, highlighting their symbolic weight in a time of religious upheaval. Hand-colored on what was likely a woodcut or engraving base, the work showcases a technique popular in early 16th-century Germany, where vibrant pigments brought printed images to life, making them affordable treasures for collectors and the devout. Cranach's workshop excelled in such productions, blending fine line work with vivid hues to evoke spiritual depth. The collector's mark (Lugt 2233) hints at its esteemed provenance, underscoring its value among connoisseurs. As a Protestant sympathizer and friend to Martin Luther, Cranach infused his art with Reformation zeal, using biblical imagery to affirm faith amid Catholic traditions. This piece invites visitors to ponder the enduring role of sacred objects in bridging ancient rituals and 16th-century piety.