Hans and Magrethe Luther 1527

Lucas Cranach the Elder's 1527 double portrait, "Hans and Magrethe Luther," depicts the German theologian and reformer Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora. The painting captures their likeness in a realistic style typical of Northern Renaissance portraiture. The inscription at the top of the image refers to the couple's death dates, making this a posthumous portrait, intended to commemorate their lives and influence. The somber black background contrasts sharply with the subjects’ clothing, emphasizing their individuality within a shared portrait format.