Bartholomew from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles 1472 - 1553

Lucas Cranach the Elder made this woodcut print, “Bartholomew from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles,” sometime in the 16th century. It depicts the martyrdom of the Apostle Bartholomew amidst the backdrop of the Protestant Reformation, a period marked by profound religious and political upheaval. The artist's personal alignment with Protestant ideals offers a lens through which to view this artwork. The print portrays Bartholomew bearing a cross, his body lifted, in an apparent reference to Christ. The expressions of the figures on horseback suggest not reverence, but rather a cold indifference to the gruesome act, capturing the fervor of the Reformation. Cranach doesn’t shy away from showing the gruesome realities of religious persecution. This print highlights the intertwined themes of faith, power, and resistance during a transformative period in European history. It reflects the artist’s beliefs, and speaks to broader societal questions of religious authority.