This early 17th-century German school oil on panel depicts a young 16th-century lady wearing a goller (hat) and lace collar. It’s a wonderful piece of history.
We’ve undertaken a great deal of research on this piece to conclude that it was created in around 1620, probably after a work by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). Here’s a summary of our findings.
Dates & Marks
The portrait carries the initials LC and a date of 1518 in the bottom left. Lucas Cranach generally used a winged symbol rather than his initials on works from around 1508, which suggests that the monogram could be a way of referencing Cranach without copying his symbol. The date of 1518 fits well with the subject’s outfit. In Germany, the Goller was a fur-lined capulet.
Style
Cranach the Elder was known for painting his subjects brimming with character - warts and all. He captured their spirit rather than an idealised version of their beauty. In many respects, this fits with his approach yet lacks the fidelity.
Feigned Oval
She’s presented in a feigned oval. These were hardly used until the early 17th century and we believe this was added by the artist for decorative reasons. Oftentimes, a family would commission a painter to produce copies of several portraits to demonstrate their lineage in a different location.
Frame
It’s an impressive and rather heavy carved German Cassetta frame that would’ve been painted when produced. It dates to circa 1600 and displays residue from its previous pigments. It’s difficult to ascertain whether it’s original but it’s possible. We’ve collected a range of example images for comparison.
Conclusion
This wonderful piece was commissioned in around 1620 probably by a couple seeking to create copies of their own family portraits. It’s likely that it once hung in a rather splendid home.
Its full inscription reads LC . TVS 1518.
Please note that this painting will need to be crated if shipped overseas. A cost for the crate will be added on during checkout.
Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 31” x 28” / 71cm x 79cm
Year of creation: c. 1620
Condition: Exactly what you would expect for a painting of this age. Old wormholes in the panel and frame, craquelure, historic repairs, and a cradle added later to support the panel - circa 1900. However, the paint is stable and overall it’s good to hang.
