Images of Luther: Scenes from Luther's Life

Most of these scenes from Martin Luther's life date from the 19th century. Although of varying artistic value, the scenes are representative of the historically-minded and retrospective 19th-century Romantic tastes, as well as of the adoration which was given to Luther. The heroizing of Luther began with 16th-century portraits, some of which portrayed Luther symbolically as the Hercules of Germany or as David battling the Roman Goliath. The 19th-century scenes below, although dramatic, tend to be more realistic portrayals of actual events in Luther's life.

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Luther nails his ninety-five theses to the church-door of Wittenberg.	Luther burns the Papal Bull.	Luther translating the Bible at Wartburg Castle.	Luther translating the Bible at Wartburg Castle.	Luther preaches against the Peasants' War.
	The wedding of Luther and Catherine von Bora.	The wedding of Luther and Catherine von Bora.	Luther on his death bed.
The following images were published in The Life of Luther in Forty-Eight Historical Engravings by Gustav König (or Koenig) (1808-1869). (Chicago: The Engberg-Holmberg Pub. Co. distribution of Konstanz: Carl Hirsch A.G. publication, n.d., originally published ca. 1847)
Birth of Luther	Luther is taken to school	Luther, in his school-days, sings before the house of Dame Ursula Cotta, at Eisenach.	Luther finds a Latin Bible in the University Library at Erfurt.	Luther's friend Alexis is killed by a flash of lightning close beside him, on a journey, when they were traveling together.
Luther enters the Augustinian Convent, 1505.	Luther is ordained a Priest.	Luther's Troubles and Penances in the Convent.	Luther restored by Music.	Luther comforted by an aged Monk.
Luther gives Lectures at Wittenberg.	Luther preaches in the Convent chapel.	Luther at Rome.	Luther created a Doctor.	Luther acting as Vicar-general of the Augustinian Order in the Absence of Staupitz.
Below, Luther is seen refusing Absolution to Penitents producing their Indulgences; and in the Centre he is affixing his ninety-five Theses to the Church-door of Wittenberg. On the Left, Tetzel is dispensing his Indulgences and burning Luther's Theses; while on the Right, the Students of Wittenberg are burning Tetzel's Counter-Theses.	Luther before the Legate Gaetan.	Luther's Disputation with Eck.	Luther burning the Pope's Bull.	Luther's Entrance into Worms.
Above, Luther is seen preparing himself by Prayer to appear before the Emperor and Diet. Below, he is standing with Frundsberg at the Entrance of the Hall.	Luther before the Diet of Worms.	Luther taken Prisoner on his Return.	Luther translating the Bible at the Wartburg.	Below, Luther is riding away from the Wartburg. Above, to the Left, Luther and the Swiss Students in the Black Bear at Jena; to the Right, Luther, amidst his Friends at Wittenberg, recognized by the same Students.
Luther allaying the Fury of the Iconoclasts, 1522.	Luther continues his Translation of the Bible with the Help of Melancthon, 1523-1524.	Luther preaching at Seeburg against the Peasants' War in 1525.	Luther's marriage.	Luther's Conference with Zwingli concerning the Sacrament, 1529.
The Presenting of the Augsburg Confession of Faith.	The Translation of the Bible.	The Improvement of the Schools and Introduction of the Catechism.	The Sermon.	The Administration of the Lord's Supper in both Forms.
Luther reading the Bible to the Elector John.	Luther visited in Sickness by the Elector John Frederick.	Luther's Portrait painted by Lucas Cranach.	Luther in Prayer at the Bedside of Melancthon.	Luther's Singing School in the House; and the Introduction of the German Hymn.
Luther's Summer Plreasures in the Midst of his Family.	Luther's Winter Pleasures in the Midst of his Family.	Luther beside the Coffin of his Daughter Magdalene.	Luther and Hans Kohlhase.	Luther ministering to the Sick and Dying in Time of Pestilence.
Luther Goes to Eisleben. His Danger on the Way. His Arrival.	Luther's Death.	Luther's Burial.