Charity (1540)

Dated 1540, "Charity" is an artwork by Lucas Cranach the Elder. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Figurative, a short history: Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. About the period around 1540: The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries.

Buying "Charity" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

German, 1472–1553

If you like the visual language of Lucas Cranach the Elder, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.