Passional Christi and Antishristi 1521

Lucas Cranach the Elder made this woodcut, "Passional Christi and Antichristi," as part of a series contrasting the life of Christ with that of the Pope. Made in Germany during the early 16th century, this image reflects the religious and social upheaval of the Protestant Reformation. Cranach was a court painter to the Electors of Saxony, who were strong supporters of Martin Luther, and the artist used his art to promote reformist ideas. Here, Christ is depicted entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The artist contrasts this scene with others in the series that depict the Pope in opulent surroundings, challenging the Church's wealth and power. Art historians use visual analysis along with Reformation-era pamphlets and treatises to fully grasp the artwork’s critique of religious authority and its call for a return to simpler Christian values. The image's meaning, therefore, is deeply rooted in the religious, social, and institutional contexts of its time.