Martin Luther

Painting on alder wood

Medium

Painting on alder wood

[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Portrait of Martin Luther as a half-length figure against a grey background. Luther faces to the left and presents the viewer with an open bible. His hand and the book extend over a text block in the lower part of the painting.

[Görres, cda 2013]

Attribution: Lucas Cranach the Younger

Attribution

Lucas Cranach the Younger

[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Dating: 1579

Dating

1579

[dated]

Dimensions: Dimensions of support: 71 x 48 cm

Dimensions

Dimensions of support: 71 x 48 cm
[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Signature / Dating: Artist's insignia center left with winged serpent and the date '1579'.

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia center left with winged serpent and the date '1579'.
[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Inscriptions: - top: 'IN EFFIEGIEM REVERENDI VIRI D DOCTORIS MARTIN LUTHERI.'

- bottom:
'NATUS ES ISLEBII DIVINE PROPHETA LUTHERE. RELIGIO FULGET …

Inscriptions

Inscriptions:

- top:
'IN EFFIEGIEM REVERENDI VIRI D DOCTORIS MARTIN LUTHERI.'
- bottom:
'NATUS ES ISLEBII DIVINE PROPHETA LUTHERE. RELIGIO FULGET TE DUCE PAPA IACET.'
The book is open showing the text of Paul's first letter to Timothy, Chapter 1.
[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Owner: Stadtgeschichtliches Museum, Leipzig
Repository: Stadtgeschichtliches Museum, Leipzig
Location: Leipzig

CDA ID: DE_SML_kK21
FR (1978) Nr.: FR-none
Persistent Link: https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SML_kK21/

Connected Works1

Provenance

- from the estate of the Leipzig City Architect (Stadtbaumeister) and judge (Stadtrichter) Jacob Meyer
- late 17th century gift to the municipal library (Stadtbibliothek), Leipzig
- Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig

[Cat. Leipzig 2006, 106]

Literature

Reference on page

Catalogue Number

Figure / Plate

Cat. Leipzig 2006

106

Author	Volker Rodekamp
Title	Leipzig original: Stadtgeschichte vom Mittelalter bis zur Völkerschlacht. Katalog zur Dauerausstellung des Stadtgeschichtlichen Museums Leipzig im Alten Rathaus. Teil I
Place of Publication	Altenburg
Year of Publication	2006

Show Literature

Gurlitt 1896

352

Author	Cornelius Gurlitt
Title	Beschreibende Darstellung der älteren Bau- und Kunstdenkmäler des Königreichs Sachsen. Stadt Leipzig
Volume	2
Place of Publication	Dresden
Year of Publication	1896

Show Literature

Weitz 1790

Author	Antonio Weitz
Title	Kurze Nachricht von E. Hoch-Edlen und Hochw. Raths zu Leipzig Bibliotec [...]
Place of Publication	Leipzig
Year of Publication	1790

Show Literature

Martin Luther, 1579

Images

Technical studies

02. 2013Technical examination / Scientific analysis

Infrared reflectography

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Materials:

- dry drawing material, dark chalk

Type/Ductus:

- freehand underdrawing

- delicate, fine lines

Function:

- binding for the final painted version; lines delineate contours; no representation of volume

Deviations:

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

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Lucas Cranach the Younger

Comments:

- possibly with reference to a preparatory drawing

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2013]

photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
photographed by Ingo Sandner

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author: <author's name>, 'Martin Luther', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SML_kK21/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author: 'Martin Luther', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SML_kK21/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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