Portret van Martin Luther 1549 - 1572

This is an undated portrait of Martin Luther, made by an anonymous artist using engraving. The composition is dominated by the oval frame, a structure that contains and focuses our attention on Luther. Notice how the engraver uses a dense network of fine lines to construct form and texture. The face, with its deep-set eyes and resolute expression, emerges through meticulous cross-hatching. Light and shadow play across the robes, built up from the strategic arrangement of linear marks. The book, held firmly in Luther’s hands, is rendered with enough detail for its pages to seem almost palpable. This technique reflects a period where the reproduction of images played a crucial role in disseminating ideas. The very act of engraving, with its commitment to precise replication, mirrors the Reformation’s emphasis on scripture and the spread of knowledge.