a web museum

 

Martin Luther Prints the 95 Theses in 1517

A. L. Moore and Son, London

circa 1920

This handsome window represents the first printing of Luther's Reformation-bound "95 Theses", following upon Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in 1440. Empowered by new technology, Luther's successful attack on the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church swept Northern Europe (as pointed out by Marshall McLuhan in "The Gutenberg Galaxy", 1962).

In 2011, Facebook swept through modern dictatorships in a thrillingly similar way.

At right, a German noble with his blond wife and child are depicted, probably supporters of Luther's efforts to reduce the power of the Popes.

 

Martin Luther Prints the 95 Theses in 1517