The Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira 1549

"The Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira" is a 1549 etching by German artist Augustin Hirschvogel, depicting the biblical story of Ananias and Sapphira, who were punished for lying to the apostle Peter about their donations to the early Christian community. The scene shows the couple's death, with Ananias being carried away by men, and Sapphira lying dead on the ground, surrounded by coins, with Peter standing before them. This artwork is a prime example of the religious subject matter favored by Northern Renaissance artists.