The artwork titled “Portraits of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon,” created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1543 in Germany, is an exquisite oil painting on wood. Measuring 21 by 32 centimeters, this portrait belongs to the Northern Renaissance movement and depicts two significant figures in reformation history. The artwork is currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
The artwork features two portraits positioned side by side. On the left, Martin Luther is depicted with his characteristically serious expression, wearing a simple black robe and a black cap, reflecting his role as a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. To the right, Philipp Melanchthon is portrayed donning similar attire, characterized by his intellectual and composed demeanor. The background of both portraits is a muted green, allowing the focus to rest entirely on the figures. The details of their hands, positioned at the lower part of the panels, and the subtle rendering of facial expressions and features, highlight Cranach the Elder’s mastery in capturing the individual essence of his subjects.
