Abstract

These woodcuts by Swiss artist Tobias Stimmer form a series portraying the Catholic church hierarchy. In the first image, the pope (left) is identified by his triple-crown (tiara) and his three-barred cross; the cardinal (center) by his large-brimmed, flat hat, and the two-barred cross, and the archbishop by his bishop’s hat (right). The cardinal is holding a letter of indulgence bearing three seals.

Image Series: “The Dignitaries and Offices of the Roman Church” (2nd half of the 16th century)

Tobias Stimmer

Source

Three bishops

Two abbots and a hermit

Three monks

Pilgrim, Vicar, and Flagellant

Priest, Deacon, Acolyte

Source: Tobias Stimmer, Die Würden und Chargen der römischen Kirche, woodcut, 2nd half of the 16th century. Albertina, Vienna. https://sammlungenonline.albertina.at/?query=search=/record/objectnumbersearch=[D/I/25/18]&showtype=record

Albertina, Vienna

Recommended Citation

Image Series: “The Dignitaries and Offices of the Roman Church” (2nd half of the 16th century), published in: German History in Documents and Images, <https://germanhistorydocs.org/en/from-the-reformations-to-the-thirty-years-war-1500-1648/ghdi:image-3328> [April 21, 2025].