Early- and mid-career curators and scholars are invited to apply for a five-day traveling-seminar on the drawings, prints and illustrated books by Lucas Cranach the Elder, his sons and his workshop (arrival day 26 May, departure day 1 June). It is hosted by the Kupferstichkabinett, museum of prints and drawings, of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and takes place in cooperation with the Kupferstich-Kabinett Dresden, museum of prints and drawings of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. The workshop is generously funded by Getty through its Paper Project initiative. The application deadline is March 17.

The traveling seminar will bring together a group of early- and mid-career curators with a focus on German old master drawings and prints and/or 16th century art on paper, but also young academics from other disciplines (e.g. paper conservators or historians) with a practical connection to museums. Keeping in mind the spectrum of curating and engaging the public with German old masters, a wide range of works including paintings and its underdrawings by Cranach on site will be discussed in the light of current art historical and art technological research. The traveling seminar is part of a larger research project (2023-2026) and also serves as preparation for two exhibitions on Cranach in Berlin and Dresden, scheduled for 2027. It marks the beginning of a multidisciplinary project on contemporary research and the innovative exhibition and mediation of drawings and prints by German old masters.

The seminar offers 12 early- and mid-career curators and scholars:
- to deepen the study of drawings and prints by old masters in order to promote current or future research projects
- to discuss works in the original in exchange with leading Cranach specialists and paper conservators
- to establish a network on German old master prints and drawings
- to discuss questions of exhibiting and curating German old master prints and drawings with colleagues in various stages of their career
- to discuss questions of digitization for research, exhibitions and public engagement
- get to know lesser-known collections and works

Lucas Cranach is one of the most influential German Renaissance artists. His extensive work was essential for the spread of the Reformation and thus contributed to the modernization of society. No workshop in this period was as productive and successful. Cranach's own style is often difficult to distinguish from the collective style practiced in the workshop. Both in terms of art technology and art theory we aim at describing the collective style more precisely. In addition, the question will be asked as to how the heritage of German old masters can be kept alive and communicated, which themes are relevant for today's public and where does the German old masters research head to in the future. The intensive program additionally includes visits to the Gemäldegalerie of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Jagdschloss Grunewald in Berlin, Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten and Reformation History Research Library in Wittenberg. Three experienced Cranach specialists will join the group as mentors. Participants are invited to give short presentation papers on topics relating to the original objects studied by the group on site. All travel costs, accommodations and meals are covered.

How to apply
The program is aimed at early- and mid-career curators (curators at a museum, curatorial or research assistants/associates, volunteers, postdocs), but also advanced doctoral students and independent researchers with a practical experience in a museum or similar exhibiting institutions (including digital platforms) in the field of 16th century German old masters, and/or the art production, society, religion and politics of East and Central Germany in the 16th century.
The application includes:
- a current curriculum vitae with details of your curatorial/institutional background
- a statement about your own research/work and which topics you are particularly interested in in relation to Cranach and how you and your work can be enriched by the workshop (max. 1000 words)
- Contact information for a reference
A jury consisting of the Berlin and Dresden project team will select an international group of 12 early- and mid-career curators and scholars.

Please submit your application in a PDF by March 17, 2024 at the latest to the following email address: m.mallachsmb-spk-berlin.de
Participants will be notified by April 12, 2024.

The traveling seminar is organized and led by Prof. Dr Dagmar Korbacher, Director, Georg Josef Dietz, Head of Conservation and Dr Mailena Mallach, Curator for German Art before 1800 at the Kupferstichkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and Dr Stephanie Buck, Director, and Dr. Claudia Schnitzer, Senior Curator for German Art before 1800 at the Kupferstich-Kabinett, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

----

The traveling seminar is made possible with support from Getty through its Paper Project initiative: https://www.getty.edu/projects/paper-project/