Martin Luther
1527
Lucas Cranach the Elder, a close friend and godfather to Martin Luther's son, created this striking profile portrait that essentially served as the 'official headshot' of the Protestant Reformation. The Latin inscription at the bottom playfully notes that while this image captures Luther's mortal face, his mind is eternal—a clever nod to his lasting intellectual impact. Printed and distributed widely, this engraving helped turn a German monk into a recognizable celebrity across Europe, functioning much like a viral profile picture of the 16th century.
- Technique
- Engraving
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