Book Title: Sieben Köpffe Martini Luthers vom hochwirdigen Sacrament des Altars / durch Doctor Jo. Cocleus

Author: Cochlaeus, Johannes, 1479-1552

Image Title: Seven-Headed Luther

Description: This woodcut is taken from Johann Cochlaeus' (1479-1552) 1529 polemic against Martin Luther (1483-1546), entitled, "The Seven-Headed Luther." This representation of the reformer with seven heads illustrates the contradictory nature of heretics, as well as some of the more destructive aspects of the reformer's work. Cochlaeus was one of Luther's most vigorous Roman Catholic opponents. Luther is the seven-headed monster of the Apocalypse (Revelation 12: 1-6). The seven heads represent the different persona of Luther: 'Doctor' has a doctor's cap; 'Martin' as a monk; 'Luther’ the Turk wearing a turban; 'Ecclesiastes' who Cochleus says "preaches what the mob wishes to hear;" 'Suermer' is the fanatic with his hair on end, surrounded by hornets; 'Visitator' as the Church Visitor whom Cochleus says revises old laws, thus accusing Luther of being a new Pope; and 'Barabbas,' the robber, a wild man with a club. The artist is likely Hans Brosamer (b ca. 1506) .

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