description Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora Overview
Painted in 1529 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, this diptych features paired portraits of Protestant reformer Martin Luther and his wife, former nun Katharina von Bora. The oil-on-panel paintings were originally commissioned by Johann the Constant and later copied extensively by the Cranach workshop. These works became the definitive and most widely disseminated visual likenesses of the couple during the Reformation era.
help Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora FAQ
Who painted the famous diptych of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora?
The paired portraits of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora were painted in 1529 by Lucas Cranach the Elder. These oil-on-panel paintings were originally commissioned by Johann the Constant and served as official visual propaganda for the Protestant Reformation.
In what medium were the portraits of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora created?
The paired portraits of Martin Luther and his wife, former nun Katharina von Bora, were executed as oil-on-panel paintings. Created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1529, these wooden panels were later copied extensively due to high demand.
Why were the Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora portraits so widely copied?
The 1529 diptych by Lucas Cranach the Elder was copied extensively because it was commissioned to provide an official, recognizable likeness of the Protestant reformer and his wife. These oil-on-panel paintings became crucial visual tools in promoting the Protestant Reformation.
Who commissioned the original 1529 diptych of Martin Luther and his wife?
The original oil-on-panel diptych of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora was commissioned by Johann the Constant in 1529. The artwork was then painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder and subsequently copied extensively for Reformation supporters.
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