CRANACH, Lucas the Elder
(b. 1472, Kronach, d. 1553, Weimar)

Portrait Study of a Young Man

c. 1530
Pen, black chalk and oil on paper primed in brownish colour, 262 x 199 mm
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

In this portrait study Cranach concentrates on the essentials: the cap, shoulder and the lower part of the shirt are merely outlined in chalk, the surface of the hair and the stand-up collar are indicated with just a few brushstrokes. In contrast, the facial features are carefully modeled with fine brushwork.