St. James the Greater 1515 - 1586

Lucas Cranach the Younger made this print of Saint James the Greater in the mid-16th century. It depicts the saint writing at a table, with a vineyard visible in the background. This image was made in Germany during the Reformation, a time of great religious and social upheaval. The visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations within the image reflect the changing attitudes toward religious authority and the role of the saints. The vineyard, for instance, might allude to the Eucharist, a key point of contention between Protestants and Catholics. Cranach was the court painter for the electors of Saxony, who were leaders of the Protestant Reformation. His artistic output and workshop were essential to the movement's visual propaganda campaign. Understanding such an image requires us to look beyond the artwork itself and investigate the social and institutional context in which it was created. Examining historical documents, religious texts, and the biographies of artists and patrons provides a deeper appreciation for art's function in society.