Allegory of the Reformation in Nuremberg (1559) by AnonymThe City of Nuremberg's Art Collections, Nuremberg Municipal Museums
The Nuremberg Religious Debate from 3 to 14 March 1525
In 1517, Luther set the Reformation in motion with 95 theses. In Nuremberg, his teachings divided the city. A debate in the town hall in 1525 was the turning point: the council renounced Rome and Nuremberg became Protestant. The way religion was practised changed fundamentally.
In this woodcut, the baptism of Jesus is relocated to the Pegnitz - Nuremberg appears as a new Jerusalem. Reformers such as Jan Hus and Erasmus kneel on the right, opposite nobles hoping for independence from the emperor and pope. This legitimises the outcome of the religious discussion.
Caritas Pirckheimer, humanist and abbess of St Clare's, was directly affected by the repercussions as an advocate of the old faith. As the sister of the councillor Willibald Pirckheimer, she enjoyed a high reputation. She campaigned for tolerance, religious freedom and equality between the sexes. When the council ordered the dissolution of the convents in 1525, she resisted. Most of the nuns wanted to stay - life outside offered few prospects.
Life of the Virgin (1511) by Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymus Höltzel, Benedictus ChelidoniusThe City of Nuremberg's Art Collections, Nuremberg Municipal Museums
Excellently connected
Caritas Pirckheimer was in close contact with leading humanists such as Erasmus of Rotterdam and Konrad Celtis. She had a special friendship with Albrecht Dürer. Dürer's ‘Life of Mary’ was dedicated to her - in it she was honoured as a humanist and a new Mary.
Church of St Clare in Nuremberg (1688) by Johann Andreas GraffThe City of Nuremberg's Art Collections, Nuremberg Municipal Museums
Female refuge
After the end of the religious dialogue, the council and parts of the town society began to take massive action against the Poor Clare monastery and other convents. Church services were disrupted, church windows smashed and stones thrown into the choir of St Clare's.
At St Clare's, around 60 women from wealthy families received an above-average education. Caritas fought for its preservation. Thanks to her efforts and Melanchthon's support, it remained in existence, but was not allowed to accept any new novices.
The Nun's Carriage 1525 (1925) by Rudolf SchiestlThe City of Nuremberg's Art Collections, Nuremberg Municipal Museums
Climax of the riots
Patrician families took their daughters out of the convent by force. The nuns resisted. They were dragged onto carts and driven back to their parents' homes. According to Melanchthon, even parents had no right to take their daughters out of the convent against their will.
Memoirs, chapter 34, p. 40v and 41r (1524─1528) by Caritas PirckheimerThe City of Nuremberg's Art Collections, Nuremberg Municipal Museums
Resilient and memorable
Caritas Pirckheimer was an enlightened Catholic nun and humanist. She maintained her convent as a refuge for women and fought for the acceptance of different faiths. Her legacy shows how openness enables a change of perspective - then as now.
... many things have been changed by the new doctrine of Luterey and much division in the Christian faith ...
A special presentation in the Fembo House from 13 March 2025 ─ 18 May 2025 on the occasion of ‘500 Years of the Nuremberg Religious Debate’. Curated by Anne Sophie Schneider.
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