Portrait of Martin Luther

Identification of wood species: beech wood

Youngest annual ring: 1529

- Hardwood, beech wood (rays)

- max. 3mm thick

- the edges have been retained on all four sides

Reverse:

- slightly beveled

- brownish black coating on the reverse (rebate held in reserve)

- thin, light, almost white chalk ground, very smooth and fine

- applied to the panel so that it just overlaps the edges

- at the centre of each side and on the corners there are circular imprints (brackets)

Incised lines:

- deep incised lines run c. 5-7 mm parallel to the edge of the panel and serve to delineate the format

- the following types were observed:

a) black pounced dots in the face (lips)

b) soft, black pen employed to execute 4 parallel guidelines at the top edge across the entire width of the panel.

Within these lines there is a two line inscription; similar lines link the pounced dots in the lips, eyes and fingers

c) black lines applied with a brush for the contours, visible on the beret, the left shoulder, the bridge of the nose and the nostrils

d) soft, grey pen employed for the shadows to create a soft transition on the back of the hand and the sleeve

Pentimenti:

Hands (fingers) and shoulder

- mixed media.

- the sequence of paint application commenced with an initial monochrome pink layer for the face, a

mid brown tone for the hair and a blue, stippled application in the background. Then followed the grey base tone

for the academic gown and beret, the shadows, the contours and modulating glazes on the lips and the hair etc.

The blue and grey base tones overlap the incised demarcation lines.

- along the top edge a 2 line inscription in the uppercase

• „ In silentio // et spe erit

fortitudo // vestra.“

Varnish:

- thin, slightly yellowed. Present also on the ground, under the frame rebate where it has yellowed considerably

- new (BStGS)

[Annette Kurella, Historisches Museum der Stadt Regensburg, revised 2011]

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Materials:

- dry drawing material, dark chalk

Type/Ductus:

- thin lines; in the face traced lines

Function:

- roughly binding for the final painted version; lines describe contours and indicate the main features within the forms; no representation of volume

Deviations:

- alterations were made during the painting process to clearly define form

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- not possible

Comments:

- possibly with reference to a preparatory drawing or transferred from a pre-existing design (traced)

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2012]