This print by René Boyvin shows the great reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustian monk, later professor of biblical literature at the University of Wittenberg. He publicly challenged the Catholic Church in October 1517 when he issued his ninety-five Theses against the sale of Indulgences, which he posted on the door of the Church of All Saints in Wittenberg.

Several artists were attracted by Luther religious ideas and produced portraits of him. This particular print copies an engraving by the German artist Heinrich Aldegrever (1502-1562), dated 1540. In the original engraving the sitter faces left and the inscriptions in Latin are slightly different; the lettering on the print shows Martin Luther a few years before his death at 63 in 1546. The inscription on the bottom ends with the artist personal monogram, an R and B superimposed.

This print is a part of a series of engravings of great reformers of the church, produced by Boyvin around 1565-70. The following reformers feature on the engravings: Martin Bücer, Jean Calvin, Jean Huss, Jean de Lespine, Luther, Melanchton and Ulrich Zwingli. Boyvin converted to Protestantism and this series probably results from his new religious faith. The artist was briefly imprisoned for being a protestant in 1569.