Search
-
Still imageThe Ninth and Tenth Commandments
A pair of woodcuts depicting a man kneeling beside a woman (left) and a two men in a building while a third sits at a table possibly counting money or grain (right), representing the Ninth and Tenth Commandments (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or his slaves, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbor." -
Still imageThe Eighth Commandment
A woodcut depicting a trial with a judge, a woman kneeling (the accused), and a man delivering a (presumably false) witness statement, representing a violation of the Eighth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." -
Still imageThe Seventh Commandment
A woodcut depicting a man stealing from another's purse as the victim carries on a conversation, representing a violation of the Seventh Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not steal." -
Still imageThe Sixth Commandment
A woodcut depicting a man and woman in bed together, thereby representing a violation of the Sixth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not commit adultry." -
Still imageThe Fifth Commandment
A woodcut depicting a man murdering two individuals with an axe, thereby representing a violation of the Fifth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not murder." -
Still imageThe Fourth Commandment
A woodcut depicting a son and daughter washing the feet of their mother and father respectively, thereby representing the Fourth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Honor thy father and thy mother." -
Still imageThe Third Commandment
A woodcut depicting a congregation gathered around a crucified Christ to hear the preaching of the Christian faith, thereby representing the Third Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." -
Still imageThe Crucifixion of Christ
A woodcut depicting two men gambling in the foreground as Christ is crucified and stabbed in the background. -
Still imageThe First Commandment
A woodcut depicting a violation of and proper following of the First Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt have no other god before me." On the right, a group of worshipers gather around the crucified Christ thereby following the First Commandment. In contrast, on the left, a group worships an "idol" in the form of a horned figure on a pedestal. -
Still imageThe Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf
A woodcut depicting Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God (upper right) as the the people of Israel worship the Golden Calf (lower left). On the right, Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb are labeled, as well as the figures of Moses and Joshua. -
Still imageHistoriated title page of Luther's De captivitate babylonica ecclesiae
Cranach, Hans, -1537A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's De captivitate babylonica ecclesiae printed in 1520. The border is comprised of a single woodcut. At the bottom, there is a crest with the Brazen Serpent coiled around a cross with two men pulling it from either side. On the sides, there are two plinths, cherubs, and riders atop a pair of centaur-like figures. At the top, there is another crest featuring two towers and a striped shield. -
Still imageCoat of Arms of Johann "The Constant", Elector of Saxony
Cranach, Lucas, 1472-1553A woodcut depicting the coat of arm sof Johann "the Constant" (or "Steadfast"), Elector of Saxony, who was a supporter of Luther and his movement. The coat of arms features a pair of crossed swords at the center, surrounded by ten fields with varying iconography, including lions, eagles, and a rose. Three helmets with different crests sit above the coat of arms and the entire composition is surrounded by a host of cherubs and a pair of trees. -
Still imagePope Leo X's Coat of Arms
A woodcut of Pope Leo X's coat of arms, appearing on the title page of the official papal bull excommunicating Martin Luther. The coat of arms features the crossed keys to the kingdom of Heaven and the Papal crown, the traditional symbols of the Papacy, and the coat of arms of the Medici family, to which Pope Leo X belonged. -
Still imageCiborium
A woodcut depicting an elaborate ciborium featuring several decorative spires and a crucifix at the top. -
Still imageMonstrance
A woodcut depicting an elaborate monstrance, or an ostensorium, somewhat in the shape of a cathedral with a crucefix on top. -
Still imageAdam and Eve after eating from the Tree of Knowledge
A woodcut depicting Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge as God looks on from Heaven. To the right, they are expelled from Eden by an angel wielding a sword. A set of four decorative woodcuts create a border around the main image and depict plants and birds. -
Still imageHistoriated title page of Luther's Sermon von dem ehelichen Stand
A woodcut border on the title page to Luther's Sermon von dem ehelichen Stand printed in 1519. The border depicts a series of cherubs, including two carrying another on a ram's pelt litter while it plays a horn and carries a standard. -
Still imageHistoriated title page of Luther's Ad Johannem Ecciu[m]
A woodcut border on the title page to Luther's Ad Johannem Ecciu[m] printed in 1519. The border depicts a variety of plants and animals, including a crane or heron and a squirrel. -
Still imageHistoriated title page to Luther's In epistolam Pauli ad Galatas commentarius
Cranach, Lucas, 1472-1553A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's In epistolam Pauli ad Galatas commentarius printed in 1519. The border depicts philosophers gathered around the Castalian spring, where historically the Delphi priestesses bathed before announcing their oracles, with the twin peaks of Mount Parnassus in the background. Along the sides and top of the border are a series of musicians playing flutes, harps, bagpipes, lutes, horns, and violins. -
Still imageMartin Luther as an Augustinian Monk
A woodcut depicting Martin Luther in the garb of an Augustinian Monk. Below Luther is a traditional Luther rose. Surrounding the portrait is an inscription, mirrored as the image was printed in reverse, reading "DOCTOR MARTINUS LUTTER AUGUSTINER: WITTENB:". This is purported to be the earliest depiction of Luther. -
Still imageHistoriated title page of Luther's Disputatio domini Johannis Eccij et P. Martini Luther in Studio Lipsiensi futura
A woodcut border and central illustration on the title page toLuther's Disputatio domini Johannis Eccij et P. Martini Luther in Studio Lipsiensi futura printed in 1519. The border is composed of four separate decorative woodcuts: the left and top ones featuring plants and flowers, the right one depicting a stick with a ribbon coiled around it and stars in the background, and the bottom one depicting a monkey amidst floral ornaments. At the center of the page is a separate woodcut depicting John the Baptist carrying the Lamb of God.