Cranach’s Wittenberg Altarpiece
The majestic art piece “The Wittenberg Altarpiece” was painted by Lucas Cranach in 1547. This altarpiece is the focal point of the City Church in Wittenberg, on it we can appreciate the importance of how worship was sensed during those days. At the same time, the altarpiece also works as a religious type of publicity since we can identify a clear illustration of the effects of the Reformation on Northern European art. Martin Luther was a key factor during that time and is the reason why we see a portrait of Martin Luther in the altarpiece. As we know the Reformation was the formation of the Protestant church by Martin Luther after deciding to split from the Catholic Church. Lucas Cranach who also happened to be a friend of Luther’s painted numerous portraits of him and his wife Katharine; he was also a devout reformer who produced many religious works such “Adam and Eve” and “The Holy Family Resting on Its Flight to Egypt” to name a few.
The altarpiece is composed of emblematic traditional Christian scenes, the ones that represent the religious values and duties that every …show more content…
In Aldern’s “Christ the King Catholic Church Altarpiece” he used a type of geometric painting technique. By taking in mind when “Christ the King Catholic Church Altarpiece” was painted, that technique was very innovated at the time. Even though I can distinguish the characters in Aldern’s “Christ the King Catholic Church Altarpiece”, Cronach’s altarpiece had a more dedicated style of painting. In Aldern’s “Christ the King Catholic Church Altarpiece” appear the disciples of Jesus Christ, “Simon (called Peter), his brother Andrew, James (the son of Zebedee), his brother John, Philip, Bartholomew/Nathanael, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas/Thaddaeus (son of James)” along with