Study of a Lion (1509)

Dated 1509, "Study of a Lion" is an artwork by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Drawings in brief: Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. Historical background, 1509: The sixteenth century includes the High Renaissance in Italy, the Mannerist generation that followed it, and the Northern Renaissance of artists such as Dürer, Holbein, and Bruegel. The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation.

"Study of a Lion" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

German, 1472–1553

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