As Reformation Sunday approaches, what better art selection than a portrait of Martin Luther whose 95 theses nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517, ignited the Protestant Reformation?

This artist, Lucas Cranach the Elder, was a portrait painter of the classical style. He and all portrait artists in this Renaissance period were the cameras of their day painting realistic and flattering images of their subjects. They supported themselves by being good at this art and pleasing those they painted. Cranach the Elder was the court painter to the electors of Saxony in Wittenberg and a close friend of Martin Luther. He was followed by his son, Lucas Cranach the Younger. Their workshop was a source of Reformation artistic propaganda.

This rather stiff and serious image of Martin Luther done on beech wood seems to express the weighty responsibility that followed his protest against the selling of indulgences for the forgiveness of sin, and of Pope Leo X’s plan to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica by imposing a new round of these indulgences. This image of Luther in black vestments seems to hold the credo of this man.

We honor this child of God and give thanks for his place in the history of our faith tradition as we honor and give thanks for the artist who shows him to us here.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church