Durer, The Four Apostles 1526

During the Reformation, Durer displayed his opinion in favor of Luther and his religious practices. Painting The Four Apostles, Durer illustrates his Protestant faith and dedication to the practices. Protestants do not believe in icons, which is why painters who believed in this practice had to commission their own paintings, such as this piece. In reference to Protestantism, Saints John, Peter, Mark, and Paul all make up the main teachings of this church. Because of the push towards self teaching, Durer hides the saints with his meticulous drapery that draws the eye towards the split of the piece, and in turn the division of religion during the Reformation.

Along with the saints embodying the new age of religion, Durer also paints them symbolizing the Four Temperaments. St. John the Evangelist represents Sanguine, impulsive and outgoing. St. Peter is the quiet and trustworthy Phlegmatic. Choleric, the more dominate and leader-like of the four temperaments, is St. Mark, which seems curious because he is the most hidden and unnoticed figure in the piece. This may be because of Durer rebelling against this Church and adopting Luther's practices. And lastly, St. Paul is referred to as Melancholic, those who usually study vigorously and appear as perfectionists.

It is no mistake that the temperaments dealing with creativity and hard study appear largest in Durer's piece. St. John and St. Paul both served as foundation for the upcoming religious practices. This further proves Durer's push towards innovation and support in the reformation are clearly seen though his work. This particular piece was given to the town council of Nuremburg, Germany, where Lutherans thrived and reformation took hold.