Portret van Martin Luther

Portret van Martin Luther

This engraving of Martin Luther depicts him mostly likely after he wrote the 95 thesis. The engraving of Martin Luther is shaped as an oval with Latin and Dutch sentences below it talking about Luther’s beliefs. This piece was likely used as propaganda for the Protestant cause in what is today the Netherlands. Luther appears well fed and comfortable in the painting, which indicates his status of living and was used to try and gain respect. It is interesting to note that there are no religious emblems on Luther, which indicates his separation from the church. The engraving also reflects Luther’s political importance.
Luther significantly altered the political landscape throughout Italy by separating from the church. Luther rocked rocked the Papal States with his critiques of the church and forced heated political discussions among church leaders, which can be seen with pope Julius III. In addition to this, the wars ranging from The German Peasant War of 1524-25 to the end of the Thirty Years War in 1648. (Wiesner Hanks 180). These religious roles drastic shaped the papal states political policy towards other european state, which led to a nearly continuous call for the eradication of the protestants from the Catholic church. The religious wars were more of a political strategy under the Papal States to try and retain their significant control over the other european states. This can be seen in the “complicated political maneuvering among many of the great power of Europe” where the Papal States broke alliances and tried to regain their sway over Europe (Wiesner Hanks 181).

Cornelis Koning

Koning, Cornelis. Portret Van Martin Luther. 1608-1671. Rijksmuseum, Netherlands.

1608 - 1671

Public Domain