Hunter on Horseback Hunting a Wild Boar
1472–1553
Medium
Woodcut; second state of two (Hollstein)
Dimensions
Sheet: 6 15/16 × 4 13/16 in. (17.6 × 12.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1923
Accession Number
23.97.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Hunter on Horseback Hunting Wild Boar** is a dynamic woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder1472–1553), a leading figure of the German Renaissance known for his vivid hunting scenes and courtly portraits. Produced during the early 16th century, print captures the thrill of the chase: a mounted hunter wields a sword against a charging wild boar,oking the nobility's passion for the hunt amid lush forests. As a second state of two (per Hollstein), it reflects refinements in the woodblock, showcasing Cranach's skill in adapting prints for broader appeal. Woodcuts like this one were revolutionary in ...
About the Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder · 1472–1553
Lucas Cranach the Elder (c. 1472-1553) was one of the most prominent German Renaissance painters and a key artistic figure of the Protestant Reformation. Born in Kronach, Franconia, to the painter Hans Maler, Cranach began his career in Vienna around 1502, where he became one of the founders of the Danube School, a movement characterized by expressive landscape painting and emotional force. His ea...