Portret van Martin Luther 1733

This portrait of Martin Luther was made by Johann Georg Mentzel in the late 17th or early 18th century. It's an engraving, a medium well-suited to the dissemination of images, and this one participates in the ongoing cultural project of solidifying Luther's image as a reformer. Made in Germany, a century and a half after Luther's death, this image reinforces his importance in the face of continuing religious and political divisions. The open book Luther holds symbolizes his emphasis on scripture, and more broadly, the power of the printed word. Note that the inscription mentions Lucas Cranach, the artist who was a close associate of Luther, and whose workshop produced many images of the reformer. Mentzel’s print invokes that earlier imagery and reinforces an established visual tradition. Understanding the social and institutional history of images like this requires us to consult archives, libraries, and print rooms. By doing so, we can better understand the evolving role of art in shaping cultural memory.