Martin Luther's sermon is shown on the recto of the predella. This motif was frequently represented in Lutheran church art because the reformer highly valued the proclamation of the gospel and public ministry [...]. However, its position on the altarpiece is novel. [...] It is depicted in a very bright
Martin Luther's sermon is shown on the recto of the predella. This motif was frequently represented in Lutheran church art because the reformer highly valued the proclamation of the gospel and public ministry [...]. However, its position on the altarpiece is novel. [...] It is depicted in a very bright and puristic room giving the scene an almost visionary character. From the viewer's perspective Martin Luther is shown on the right, wearing a robe and standing in a refectory pulpit. The pulpit is supported by an architectural element decorated with acanthus leaves and heads of putti. The balustrade is decorated with a wild boar's head and a man's head intertwined with vines. Luther's face is similar to the woodcut portrait of the reformer, which accompanied his epitaph, printed in 1546.
The central point with respect to both content and composition is the image of Christ crucified, which is positioned between the preacher of God's word and the absorbed congregation. The body of the suffering savior hangs on a T-shaped cross, the inscription 'INRI` is visible on a plaque above his head. The crown of thorns rests on his head, which is inclined towards his right shoulder. Christ's pained face and tortured body are covered with drops of blood. A loin cloth bulges out around his hips with the ends fluttering, while blood streams from the wound in his side.
[Zdunczyk, in: Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 79]
- Attributions
-
Lucas Cranach der Ältere
Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop
Attributions
Lucas Cranach der Ältere | and Lucas Cranach the Younger and workshop |
Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop | ... and Lucas Cranach the Elder |
- Production date
- 1547 - 1548
Production date
1547 - 1548 | [Zdunczyk, in: Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 75] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 103.5 x 233 x 1.8 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 103.5 x 233 x 1.8 cm
Dimensions of the entire altarpiece: 447 x 562 cm
[Zdunczyk, in: Harasimowicz, Seyderhelm 2015, 75]
- Signature / Dating
None
- Inscriptions and Labels
- at the top of the cross: 'INRI'
Inscriptions and Labels
Inscriptions, Badges:
- at the top of the cross:
'INRI'
- Owner
- Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
- Repository
- Evangelische Stadtkirche St. Marien, Wittenberg
- Location
- Wittenberg
- CDA ID
- DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW001d
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR-none
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_ESKStMW_NONE-ESKStMW001d/