CRANACH, Lucas the Elder
(b. 1472, Kronach, d. 1553, Weimar)

Portrait of Martin Luther

1525
Oil and tempera on wood, 40 x 27 cm
City Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol

It is probable that this panel had a pendant, now lost, representing Luther's wife. After the marriage to Katharina von Bora in 1525, Cranach painted many double portraits of the couple. Even though the marriage portraits of 1525-26 were produced in series, they are all of high quality, clearly intended for important clients, and for the most part Cranch the Elder painted at least the facial areas himself.