One of the main works of art produced during the Protestant Reformation was the piece Christ Blessing, Surrounded by a donor and his family (Triptych of a Protestant family) by Ludger Tom Ring. This piece was produced in between 1575 and 1580 and it was painted as oil on wood on a central panel. Its dimensions are 31 3/8 by 37 and 5/8 inches with each wing being 32 by 14 and 5/8. It is currently located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This painting is a triptych meaning a three piece panel and dates back to the Flemish period. During the Flemish period many artistic techniques were discovered such as the oil medium, the use of disguised symbolism, and humanism. Using an oil medium was an efficient procedure in art because it brought the painting to life and made it look more realistic. The usage of disguised symbolism was a way for artists to include various everyday objects in their artwork while giving their piece a deeper meaning with these objects.
In this middle ground Christ is standing behind a table surrounded by a devout family from Westphalia. This family seems to consist of a father, mother, two sons, and a daughter. This painting possibly depicts the wedding of the thirty three year old son to the eighteen year old girl. The family as a whole has not been identified but they are painted in close proximity to Christ indicating that they were Protestant since Catholics would not have been allowed to be depicted as having such a familiar relationship with Christ.
The people in the painting are extravagantly dressed indicating that it is an important occasion. The women are dressed in black and gold dresses and necklaces and the men are wearing fur like coats. In the foreground there are many objects in the piece which serve as disguised symbolism. On the table below there are flowers scattered across and a bible on the left side underneath the man’s hand. The flowers symbolize themes of a wedding such as love, commitment, faith, and fertility. The Bible is a symbol that it is read on a daily basis. In the background on the wall, there are hangings which are texts from the Gospel of Saint John and Psalms.
Art during the Protestant Reformation was limited and close to even being banned due to the idea of iconoclasm. Protestant reformers rejected the use of visual arts in the church hence they did not even have many churches. Protestants were so severe in their beliefs that stained glass windows were broken, images of the saints were destroyed and pipe organs were removed from the churches. The only reason they used art was to teach the ideas of the Protestant Reformation
As I’ve learned, this piece of art and many others during this time period was clearly an emphasis upon literacy of the bible which reflects Luther’s teachings during the Protestant Reformation. As a result the Protestant Reformation removed public art from religion as they moved towards a more secular style of art which embraced the concept of glorifying God through the portrayal of the natural beauty of His creation and by depicting people who were created in His image.
Works Cited
1)”Attributed to Ludger tom Ring the Younger: Christ Blessing, Surrounded by a Donor and His Family (Triptych of a Protestant Family) (17.190.13-15)”. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/08/euwc/ho_17.190.13-15.htm (December 2008)