Lucas Cranach the Elder
St. Maurice

Circa 1522-25
Oil on wood
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.469. Bequest of Eva F. Kollsman.

As in many portraits from the 16th century and later, the saint is shown as an African. His name is related to the Latin Maurus, "a Moor." The sword and banner are common attributes in Maurice's portraits. As a military saint, he is portrayed in armor characteristic of Cranach's time, albeit with an emphasis on costly array. The elaborate hat is Cranach's invention.

In this era St. Maurice's banner sometimes features a stylized eagle, here seen only partially.

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Photographed at the museum by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.