The Martin Luther image as an object of myth-making in the German art of 19th century (through the stoneware collection of the Saratov State Art Museum named after A. N. Radischev)

Abstract

The article considers the Martin Luther image as an object of the myth-making in Germany of the 19th century and its reflection in the art. The main focus of the article is the stoneware beer jug depicting the scene of the feast and the music-making. The author identified Luther person among the participants of the feast. The presence of Father of the Church Luther in the scene on the beer jug is explained by the historical situation in Germany. The 19th-century passes in Germany under the banner of the national idea. The author proves that in the 19th century Luther became the national myth. The unification of Germany was the necessary basis for the development and prosperity of the bourgeoisie, because the bourgeoisie needed this myth first of all. For the population Luther was the personification of the national idea (as the creator of the literary language and the national religion).