Christus spreekt met de discipelen over de Goede Herder 1534 - 1535

Georg Pencz made this print, Christus Speaks with the Disciples about the Good Shepherd, with engraving sometime between 1500 and 1550. Pencz was part of a generation of German artists who were deeply influenced by the Italian Renaissance and its revival of classical art and philosophy. The scene depicts Jesus explaining the parable of the Good Shepherd to his disciples, emphasizing care and protection of his followers. The small scale of the print speaks to its function as a private devotional object. The setting is somewhat generic but the landscape elements, with the naked figure by the tree, recall classical themes of the pastoral. This is where Pencz's interest in Italian art is evident. To understand more about the cultural context, consider the role of religious imagery in the 16th century, the history of devotional prints, and the influence of the reformation in Germany. These contextual factors can reveal much about the print's intended audience and its potential social functions.