Portret van Martin Luther 1525 - 1782

This is Johann Elias Haid’s portrait of Martin Luther, made in 1786 with etching and engraving. Notice the laurel wreath that encircles Luther's image. The wreath, a classical symbol of victory and honor, reappears throughout history, from ancient Roman triumphs to Renaissance portraits, signifying authority and reverence. But consider, too, how the Reformation challenged established authority. Here, the laurel wreath subtly elevates Luther, a figure who both embraced and defied tradition. This image is a powerful visual representation of memory and legacy. The wreath, like the image itself, transcends time, carrying echoes of past meanings while acquiring new significance in each historical context. The act of remembrance becomes a cyclical process, where the past is continually reinterpreted through the lens of the present.