Lot and His Daughters 1526 - 1536

Georg Pencz created this engraving of Lot and His Daughters in the 16th century, an era marked by religious and social upheaval. Pencz was a German artist who was briefly banished from Nuremberg for his radical, reformist religious beliefs. Here, he depicts a biblical narrative laden with themes of survival and moral ambiguity. The story of Lot, who sought refuge with his daughters after the destruction of Sodom, raises questions about familial duty, consent, and the breakdown of social norms in times of crisis. Pencz develops the narrative, as we see Lot and his daughters escaping the doomed city, one daughter offering her father a drink. In Pencz’s era, the image of women as both vulnerable and potentially dangerous figures was common, reflecting anxieties about gender roles and morality. This piece invites us to consider the desperation and complexity of human behavior when faced with catastrophe, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable aspects of history, identity, and faith.