Law and the Gospel – Lucas Cranach the Elder

Law and the Gospel

Allegory contrasting Catholicism and Protestantism

Lucas Cranach the Elder

Artist and supporter of the Protestant Reformation

c. 1530

Date of the work

Woodcut

Print technique enabling mass distribution

Letterpress

Text printed alongside image

German language

Makes religious ideas accessible to the public

Martin Luther

Protestant reformer who advised Cranach

Left side

Law / Old Testament / Catholicism

Moses

Holds the Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments

Old Law; insufficient for salvation

Skeleton

Symbol of death and damnation

Right side

Gospel / Grace / Protestantism

Christ’s blood

Salvation through faith alone

Salvation

Achieved by faith, not works

Tree symbolism

Barren on Law side, flourishing on Grace side