The Reformation and Art in Germany - five online talks by Dr Ulrike Ziegler

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses decrying the Catholic sale of indulgences onto the door of Wittenberg Castle Church on 31st October 1517, he brought about the most seminal schism in the history of Western Christianity. What should have been nothing more than a theological-academic dispute ended with excommunication, imperial ban and – not least of all – a fundamental change of attitude to Christian art and architecture.

In this series, we will examine the person of Martin Luther and the time in which he lived through his depiction in portraits. His conversion into a ‘Saint of the Reformation’ by contemporaries is just one of many feats of the religious propaganda of this era. In the field of art and architecture, the Reformation developed into nothing less than a revolution. The lasting change in all artistic creation on the Catholic side will be explored as well as the new, slowly emerging Protestant art and architecture in which Luther’s close friend, Lucas Cranach the Elder, played a pivotal role.

They take place every Thursday from 24 October–21st November at 4.30pm (London) and, including Q&A, will probably last just under an hour. They are available for viewing for eight weeks after the last episode is streamed (16th January 2025).