The Luther Museums in Wittenberg have acquired a striking new portrait of Martin Luther created by renowned German painter Bernhard Heisig. The oil painting, which offers a modern perspective on the Protestant reformer, was purchased by the Foundation of Luther Memorial Sites in Saxony-Anhalt and will be presented to the public on Thursday. This acquisition adds a contemporary artistic viewpoint to the museum's comprehensive collection of Luther portraits, complementing the extensive historical depictions of the reformer.
The painting represents one of two Luther portraits that Heisig created during his final years before his death in 2011. The artwork was most recently displayed in a Heisig exhibition in Berlin in 2024 before being acquired by the Wittenberg institution. The presentation coincides with what would have been Heisig's 100th birthday, marking a significant milestone for the celebrated East German artist who passed away over a decade ago.
According to Anne-Katrin Ziesak, director of the Wittenberg Museums, Heisig's Luther portrait is "very expressive" and depicts an older version of the reformer. "It's no longer the gaunt monk, but rather the well-established reformer," she explained in an interview with MDR KULTUR. The bust portrait shows Luther holding what appears to be a scroll in his clenched right fist while pointing emphatically with his left hand toward another scroll. Ziesak noted that whether these documents represent the papal bull threatening excommunication or Luther's famous 95 Theses is left to the viewer's imagination.
The museum director emphasized the painting's remarkable vitality and psychological depth. "You can recognize much passion, much fury, but also a certain doggedness," Ziesak observed. "You have the impression that you can look into his character... You get the feeling you wouldn't want to cross this person, and he's certainly not very receptive to criticism." This interpretation offers a stark contrast to the more familiar depictions of Luther, particularly those created by Lucas Cranach the Elder, through whose artistic lens Luther is most commonly viewed.
The Luther Museums have been collecting pictorial representations of Martin Luther since their founding, with Cranach's portraits being among the most famous in their collection. "We always see Luther through the eyes of Lucas Cranach," Ziesak explained, highlighting how Heisig's work opens up an entirely new perspective on the historical figure. The newly acquired painting provides what she described as a "modern look" at Luther, offering viewers the sense that "you know the person behind it."
Ziesak characterized the addition of Heisig's portrait - a work "from our current time" - as a "great enrichment" for the Luther Museums. However, the public will have to wait to see the painting in its permanent home. The artwork must first be properly framed and glazed before installation. Additionally, the Luther House in Wittenberg, where the portrait is intended to be displayed, is currently closed for comprehensive renovation and is not expected to reopen until 2027.
Once the renovation is complete, Heisig's Luther portrait will become part of the new permanent exhibition at the Luther House. Until then, there will be limited opportunities for the public to view this significant acquisition. The painting is scheduled to be presented in December as part of the museum's "Encounter with the Original" event series. This special presentation will take place on December 9 at 6:30 PM in the Chapel of the Augusteum Wittenberg, featuring presentations by Ziesak and curator and art historian Sophie Potente. The event is free of charge, though advance registration is recommended.
The acquisition represents a significant addition to the cultural heritage preserved in Wittenberg, the historic city where Luther posted his 95 Theses and launched the Protestant Reformation. By incorporating Heisig's contemporary artistic interpretation alongside the classical portraits in their collection, the Luther Museums are demonstrating how historical figures continue to be reinterpreted and understood through the lens of different artistic periods and cultural contexts.
