Der sichtbare Glaube

During the confessional age, pictures became established as an identity forming feature in the Lutheran church. They not only conspicuously separated Lutheran from reformed churches, but also defined the community of believers and placed a visual sermon in their midst. Susanne Wegmann traces the path of Lutheran picture discourse from spoiled and controversial medium to its relocation in the Lutheran context. The pictures themselves are the author's logical source for reflecting on their traditional use in late medieval times. The positions occupied by artists, benefactors and commissioners are determined through portraits, signatures and inscriptions in and on the pictorial Lutheran faith works.