Cranach, Lucas the Younger (German, 1515-1586) 1 German artists

The composition presents a female figure in a frontal pose against a stark black background. She is depicted nude, her skin rendered with meticulous attention to detail, highlighting the subtle gradations of tone and texture that suggest flesh. The artist employed a pale palette for the body, contrasted by the vibrant red-orange hue of her cascading hair, which frames her face and draws the eye upward. A dark necklace adorns her neck, providing a visual anchor against the lightness of her skin. Her expression is one of quiet composure; she gazes directly outward with an almost detached serenity.
At the figure’s feet, a small winged infant – presumably a cherub – is shown in motion, appearing to emerge from a low stone base. The childs arm is raised, as if offering or presenting something unseen. A single golden feather lies near the base, adding another layer of symbolic potential.
The setting appears to be an outdoor space with a cobbled ground, though its details are somewhat obscured by the darkness. The limited depth of field and the figure’s central placement contribute to a sense of formality and theatricality.
Subtextually, the work seems to engage with themes of beauty, fertility, and perhaps divine grace. The nudity, while potentially suggestive, is presented without overt sensuality; instead, it emphasizes an idealized form. The presence of the cherub introduces elements of innocence and creation, hinting at a connection between the female figure and a higher power or origin. The feather could symbolize lightness, aspiration, or even fleeting beauty. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and symbolic richness, inviting contemplation on themes of human existence and its relationship to the divine.