Martin Luther & Katharina von Bora, Pair 16th C. Oil on Panel Portraits by Lucas Cranach the Elder Workshop

A pair of oil on panel paintings of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora produced by the workshop of German Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder (ca. 1472-1553), ca. 1550. The oval-shaped portraits are displayed in matching frames with ornate gilt plates and ebonized molding, with matching engraved German language name plates. There are no visible artist's signatures or monograms. Exhibiting expected age-related wear including craquelure, and isolated paint loss especially affecting Katharina's portrait. Scattered damage has been professionally repaired. Minor surface loss to the frames, and the panels are a little loose in the frames. Not examined out of the frames. Both fitted for hanging. Each panel measures approximately 3.375" x 3.75" (sight size) while the overall size of the frames is 10.5" x 10" x 2."

Luther's name plate is engraved: "Martin Luther / Lucas Cranach d. Ä. [der ältere, or the Elder] 1550" while his wife's is: "Martin Luther's Frau / Lucas Cranach d. Ä. 1550." Numerous paper label fragments and stickers, including one from Neumeister Münchener Kunstauktionshaus, a Munich auction house, are adhered to the frame verso and testify to a long history of exhibition and resale.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1507 and later became an Augustinian monk. Critical of some of the abuses he observed in the church, Luther published his 95 Theses in 1517; he was later excommunicated and outlawed. Luther had helped future wife and ex-Cistercian nun Katharina von Bora (1499-1552) escape from her convent in 1523. The two were wed in 1525 and legitimized the idea of clerical marriage.

These portraits are based on an original pair painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1525 to celebrate Luther's marriage, today found in the collection of the Morgan Library & Museum. Cranach, who was known for his portraits of German princes and the major leaders of the Protestant Reformation, executed many prints and paintings of Luther, along with Luther's wife, mother, and father. The workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder was prolific and eventually included the artist's son Lucas Cranach the Younger. The double portrait of Luther and his wife were reproduced in multiple versions over the centuries.

Provenance:

This pair of portraits was purchased from Neumeister Münchener Kunstauktionshaus for over $2,100 (including the buyer's premium) in May 2020. Their catalog description stated: "[In the] expert opinion of Dr. Ernst Buchner, Munich, 10 September 1948: the two paintings are assessed as being 'from the school of Lucas Cranach the Elder' and dated 'circa 1550.' Dr. Ernest Buchner (1892-1962) was a German art historian and the director of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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