On August fifth every year, Christians who have saint days honor two amazing artists who lived in the same epoch, called the German Renaissance.

One is Albrecht Durer (1471-1528), known for his woodcuts, engravings, paintings, and printmaking. His paintings such as “Young Hare” (1502) come alive, with detail all the way down to the hairs on its coat. The picture on the right is his self-portrait. Some of his best known pieces are Praying Hands (1508), a Rhinoceros (which he’d never seen in person), and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1498), part of his Book of Revelation series. What incredible gifts God gave him to share.

The other great artist of that period is Lucas Cranach the Elder (1553–1550). He was most known for his painting. But he also was a printer of woodcutsand engravings. During most of his career, he was the official painter for the Electors of Saxony, the leading merchants of that region. The third picture here is his self-portrait. What amazing talent he brought to the people.

Creative people like Cranach and Durer encourage each of us to discover our own abilities and use them to help others.

Yours in faith,

Betsy