Portret van Martin Luther 1667 - 1709

Johann Christoph Boecklin created this portrait of Martin Luther as an engraving. Consider the cultural and political context. Boecklin made this print long after Luther's death, at a time when the reformer had become a symbol for religious and political identity in parts of Europe. The print not only commemorates Luther but promotes particular ideas linked to the man, his teachings, and the institutions that celebrate them. Boecklin includes text in Latin and German around and below Luther’s image, a way to address the viewer directly and to reinforce the importance of his teachings. As art historians, we use a range of resources to better understand this artwork. We consider the historical context of its creation, studying the political and religious climate of the time. We examine the printmaking traditions and the role of portraiture in shaping public perception. In short, this print reminds us that art is always shaped by the social and institutional forces of its time.