Christus door de duivel in verleiding gebracht

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 118 mm x breedte 146 mm

Art Historical Context

Behold *Christus door de duivel in verleiding gebracht* (Christ Tempted by Devil), a delicate etching by Augustin Hirschvogel from 1548. This German Renaissance artist (1503–1555), based in Nuremberg, was a printmaker renowned for his precise landscapes and religious scenes, often echoing the legacy of Albrecht Dürer. At just 118 mm high by 146 mm wide, intimate work was designed for broad dissemination—etchings like this made high art accessible to scholars, clergy, and laypeople during the Reformation era. The scene captures a pivotal biblical moment from Matthew 4: Satan tempting Jesus atop a pinnacle, symbolizing the clash between spiritual purity and worldly temptation. Hirschvogel's etching technique—using acid to bite intricate lines into a copper plate—allowed for fine, expressive details: swirling clouds, rugged cliffs, and dramatic figures that convey tension and divine resolve. Pioneered in the early 16th century, his etchings bridged engraving's precision with freer, painterly effects, influencing later printmakers. In 1548, amid religious upheaval in Protestant strongholds like Nuremberg, this print served as a visual sermon, reinforcing faith against devilish lures. Its small scale invites close contemplation, reminding us how art once fueled spiritual discourse in everyday homes. A gem of Northern Renaissance printmaking!

About the Artist

Augustin Hirschvogel · 1503–1553

Augustin Hirschvogel (1503–1553) was born in Nuremberg into a prominent family of stained-glass painters who dominated the city's glass workshops during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The son of Veit Hirschvogel the Elder (1461–1525), Nuremberg's official glazier who executed designs after Albrecht Dürer and Hans von Kulmbach, Augustin trained as a glass painter in his father's workshop. ...