The Serpent and the Lamb: Cranach, Luther, and the Making of the Reformation
Category: Books,Biographies & Memoirs,Historical
The Serpent and the Lamb: Cranach, Luther, and the Making of the Reformation Details
Review “Ozment describes Cranach’s many-faceted character . . . [and] makes a compelling case for Cranach’s importance as an artist and man of faith whose collaboration with the great Reformer was central to the spread of Protestantism.”—Debra Bendis, Christian Century (Debra Bendis Christian Century) "Ozment is determined to strip away the varnishes of 'a dark historiography' from Cranach and the early Reformation in order to reveal the artist standing in full light next to Martin Luther, not in any way obscured by his shadow. In this fascinating biography, it is not so much the influence of the Reformation on the arts that matters, but rather Cranach’s profound contributions to Reformation politics and culture. Ozment makes a bold claim for the transformative force of Cranach’s art."—David H. Price, author of Albrecht Dürer’s Renaissance: Humanism, Reformation and the Art of Faith (David H. Price)“Applying a historian’s eye to one of the greatest artists of the Reformation, Ozment paints an absorbing portrait of a cultural giant at the heart of tumultuous events. Martin Luther could not have found a truer friend, or a more brilliant craftsman, to bring his image to the public gaze.”—Andrew Pettegree, University of St Andrews (Andrew Pettegree)“Ozment presents a compelling story of two great men of talent, Martin Luther and Lucas Cranach: the spiritual revolutionary/writer, and the painter/illustrator. Their work and interaction brought about changes in the world—a freedom of expression affecting all of us right up until now.”—James Hendricks, University of Massachusetts Amherst (James Hendricks)“Steven Ozment, master-historian of the Reformation, paints a broad and lively picture one of history’s most momentous—and most puzzling—collaborations. It comes as no surprise that Martin Luther changed the world, but that his incredible influence on the course of history was made possible largely through collaboration with his painter-friend Lucas Cranach: this is the surprising contention of this marvelously readable book.”—Joseph Leo Koerner, author of The Reformation of the Image (Joseph Leo Koerner)“A brilliant and novel treatment of Cranach and Luther and their collaborative leadership of the Reformation. With meticulous research and silken prose, Steven Ozment rescues both these luminaries from their many misguided modern critics. This book is the start to a new history of Reformation theology and of Renaissance art. A stunning read!”—John Witte, Jr., Emory University (John Witte, Jr.)"There are few historians more likely than Steven Ozment to provoke intense debate with each new thought-provoking book. This study is no exception, reintroducing the court painter, Lucas Cranach, not only as an amazing and exceptional artist (which no one doubts), but also--and more surprisingly--as a tireless advocate and endlessly resourceful propagandist for Luther's Reformation. Must reading for students of the Renaissance and Reformation."—David C. Steinmetz, Duke University (David C. Steinmetz)“Fascinating.”—European Histories (European Histories)"The Serpent and the Lamb is packed with stunning images and brilliant analysis, a sheer delight for serious readers of Reformation era history and art."—Brian Odom, Washington Independent Review of Books (Brian Odom Washington Independent Review of Books)“[An] intriguing account . . . a delightful and in-depth look . . . packed with stunning images and brilliant analysis . . . a sheer delight.”—Brian Odom, Washington Independent Review of Books (Brian Odom Washington Independent Review of Books) Read more Book Description This spirited retelling of the lives and works of Cranach, the artist, and Luther, the reformer, recognizes for the first time how their combined successes gave birth to modern German art and the Protestant Reformation. Read more About the Author Steven Ozment is McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History, Harvard University. He is the author of ten books, including The Age of Reform, 1250–1550, which was a National Book Award finalist. He lives in Grantham, NH. Read more
Reviews
This book had lots of information about Lucas Cranach and his relationship with Martin Luther, which I didn't know. But there were so many subjective judgments that I have to take as "not proven". Plus there are likely a thousand sentences that really didn't make sense or were just hilarious. A simple one is (paraphrased), "Martin Luther's socio-cultural milieu changed after he died." Yeah, he was dead! And the paragraphs, trying to follow the flow of thinking, I was often lost. Like that AFLAC duck, shaking my head. And I have another book by the same gentleman, about the Reformation, and I'm hoping he makes more sense there.
