The numerous versions of Law and Grace produced by Cranach and his workshop are characterized as either Prague or Gotha types as the earliest versions of this subject from 1529 are named after their present locations.
The composition is dichotomous, showing mankind in the two conditions that were according to Luther
The numerous versions of Law and Grace produced by Cranach and his workshop are characterized as either Prague or Gotha types as the earliest versions of this subject from 1529 are named after their present locations.
The composition is dichotomous, showing mankind in the two conditions that were according to Luther necessary for salvation: on the left side mankind, damned under the Law of Moses, is driven into Hell by death and the devil, and on the right the salvation through Christ¿s sacrifice is shown. Numerous single scenes can be counted within the painting (in the background the Fall of Man, The Last Judgment, The Brazen Serpent, The Immaculate Conception, The Annunciation to the Shepherds, The Ascension of Christ) that recapitulate and make the reformation doctrine of justification accessible. These are elucidated by the biblical verse in the inscription. It is documented that Philipp Melanchthon advised Cranach in the selection of these verses. In comparison with the panel in Prague the composition of this variant, from 1536 and after the Gotha type, is more distinctly divided and in particular the choice of biblical verse enables a more obvious association of the individual scenes. [Görres, cda 2019]
- Attributions
-
Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop)
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attributions
| Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop) | [cda 2019] |
| Lucas Cranach the Elder | 'Lucas Cranach I and II' [Christie's online database: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-and-lucas-cranach-5766090-details.aspx; accessed 27-03-2019] |
| Lucas Cranach the Younger | 'Lucas Cranach I and II' [Christie's online database: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-and-lucas-cranach-5766090-details.aspx; accessed 27-03-2019] |
- Production date
- 1536
Production date
| 1536 | [dated] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 64.8 x 120.6 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 64.8 x 120.6 cm
[Christie's online database: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/lucas-cranach-i-and-lucas-cranach-5766090-details.aspx; accessed 27-03-2019]
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia lower right on the rock: serpent and dated '1536'
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia lower right on the rock: serpent and dated '1536'
- Inscriptions and Labels
- top left:
'. I . Rom . I Es wirdt Offenbahret Gottes Zorn Vom himmel über aller Menschen Gottlos …Inscriptions and Labels
Inscriptions, Badges:
- top left:
'. I . Rom . I Es wirdt Offenbahret Gottes Zorn Vom himmel über aller Menschen Gottlos wesen vnd Unrecht'
- top centre:
'. II . Esai . IIII Cap . der Herr wirdt euch Selbs ein Zeichen geben Sihe ein Jungfrauw wirdt Schwanger Werden vnd einen Sohn gebehren' [actually Jes 7,14]
- bottom, from left to right:
'Sie seindt Alle Zumall Sünder vnd manglen das sie sich Gottes nicht Röhmen Mögen Rom . 3 . Capitel - Die Sünde ist des Todtes Spies das Gesetz ist der Sünde Kräf . 1 . Cor . 15 . Das aelet Richtet am Zorn an . Rom 4 . Cap . - Durch das gesetz komvt erkentnis der Sunde . Rom . 3 . - Das gesetz vnd alle propheten gehen bis auff Johanni Zeit . Mathei . am . 11. Capitel . - Der gerechte Lebet seines glaubens Rom i wir halten das der Mensch gerecht werdte Durch den gläben Ohn des gesetzes werck . Rom . 3 . Cap . - Sihe das ist Gottes Lamb das der weltt sunde tzegt Ioh . I . in der heilichung des geistes vnd besprengung das bluets Jesu Christe in der . i. Petri . am . i . Capit . - Der Todt ist verschlungen in dem Sig Gott aber seij danck der vnß den sig gegeben hatt durch JESUS Christum Vnserrn
Herzen . in der erstern . Corenter . am . 15 . Capitel .'
- Owner
- Private Collection
- Repository
- Private Collection
- CDA ID
- PRIVATE_NONE-P171
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR-none
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/PRIVATE_NONE-P171/
- top left:
