Martin Luther 1540

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted this portrait of Martin Luther using oil on wood. The smooth surface and careful blending of tones speak to the traditions of panel painting. Cranach was court painter in Wittenberg, and a close associate of Luther. This is significant because in the context of the Reformation, images themselves were hotly contested. The Catholic Church had long used icons to convey spiritual truths, but reformers like Luther were concerned that such images could become objects of idolatry. Cranach’s solution was to create portraits that emphasized the humanity of religious figures. The material qualities of paint – its ability to capture likeness and convey texture – were key to this approach. Luther's likeness was multiplied through printmaking, making him a familiar figure throughout Europe, which greatly helped the Reformation's cause. By focusing on the skilled process behind this image, we see how art and craft played a vital role in shaping religious and political discourse.