Lucas van Valckenborch & Georg Flegel: Double Portrait of an Elderly Couple (16th century)

(Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden)

A painting by the Flemish artist Lucas van Valckenborch (1530-1597) & the German artist Georg Flegel (1563-1638). A man and a woman can be seen around a table which is filled with bread, meat and fruit. In the background a city can be seen with a statue which is interpreted as the German monk Martin Luther (1483-1546), a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation. The inclusion of Martin Luther is perhaps a reference to Valckenborch’s escape from religious persecution in Flanders. The identity of the man and woman are unknown but perhaps it is a self-portrait of Valckenborch. The painting was started by Valckenborch but finished by Georg Flegel. Painting from the 16th century.