Frederick the Wise and John the Constant of Saxony 1509

Lucas Cranach the Elder made this engraving of Frederick the Wise and John the Constant of Saxony, sometime in the first half of the 16th century. These likenesses offer a window into the cultural and political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire during the Reformation. Cranach was court painter in Wittenberg, a city that also served as the epicenter of religious reform led by Martin Luther. Frederick and John were key supporters of Luther, and this image can be understood in terms of the politics of religious imagery at that time. The presence of their heraldic arms suggests a desire to promote dynastic power. But the inclusion of what seems to be a rosary or other devotional object on the table could refer to the tensions between religious conservatives and the burgeoning Protestant movement. Examining sources from the period, such as letters and political pamphlets, helps us grasp how images such as this played a role in shaping public opinion during a time of great social change.