Allegory of Law and Grace

Allegory of Law and Grace. Lucas Cranach the Elder. c. 1530 C.E. Woodcut and letterpress.

RELIGION CAUSED INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY; ICONOCLASTS DESTROYED CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ART; MOST INFLUENTIAL IMAGE OF TTHE LUTHERAN REFORMATION; ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT CATHOLIC CHURCH TURNED INTO VIOLENCE AND REBELLION

PEOPLE BECAME DISILLUSIONED ABOUT CATHOLIC TEACHING; DIFFERENT BELIEFS; CATHOLIC CHURCH’S WEALTH AND POWER ANGERED MANY; LUTHER BELIEVED RELIGIOUS ART SHOULD PROVIDE LESSONS

LAW AND GOSPEL EXPLAINS LUTHER’S IDEALS IN VISUAL FORM; DESPISED THE IDEA THAT GOOD DEEDS WOULD PLAY A ROLE IN SALVATION; HEAVEN IS REALIZED THROUGH FAITH IN GOD

TWO NUDE MALE FIGURES BETWEEN A TREE; RIGHT (GOSPEL) FIGURE SUBMITS TO GOD’S MERCY

LEFT (LAW) - SKELETON AND DEMON FORCE A FRIGHTENED NAKED MAN INTO HELL; COMMUNICATED THAT YOU COULDN’T GET TO HEAVEN