Brief Biography-Lucas Cranach the Elder was from Cronbach in Upper Franconia, where he took his name. He received training in his youth from his father, Hans, an artist. In 1493, Lucas visited the Holy Land with the Elector Frederick of Saxony and the Duke Christopher of Bavaria. In Nuremberg, he may have viewed the work of Albrecht Durer.
Lucas first gained a reputation for his work in Vienna doing portraits. Then, in 1505, he worked in Wittenberg primarily for Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, who founded the University of Wittenberg. Lucas married Barbara Brengbier and had five children; two sons worked for him in his workshop. He decorated the Elector’s buildings and painted numerous portraits of his family and courtiers. When Martin Luther arrived in Wittenberg and eventually stayed under the protection of the Elector, Cranach became involved in his work, and they were said to be close friends.
Cranach increased the number of sacred altarpieces he was doing and continued to do commissions for Catholic patrons. Lucas had a successful workshop and did well buying and letting property in Wittenberg by this time. He also had a thriving wine-selling business. In 1525, Cranach went into business with Christian Doring, the court jeweller, setting up a printing firm, and they financed the publishing of the first part of Luther’s Bible.
He became Burgomaster of Wittenberg on a few occasions. In 1537, his eldest son Hans, who was successful in his work, died while travelling in Italy. In 1540, his wife died, and his other son Lucas helped him run the workshop. The Catholic Emperor besieged Wittenberg in 1544, and after John Frederick’s defeat at Muhlberg, Cranach went with him to Weimar, where he died in 1553.