Zondeval en kruisiging, penning geslagen op last van Johan Frederik de Grootmoedige, keurvorst van Saksen 1536 - 1607

Hans Reinhart the Elder created this silver medal, "The Fall and Crucifixion," commissioned by John Frederick the Magnanimous. The medal’s circular form is divided into two distinct scenes, each meticulously detailed in high relief. On one side, we see the temptation of Adam and Eve, dominated by the dense, fruit-laden tree of knowledge. The figures are rendered with a classical sensibility. The composition is dynamic, pulling the eye into the scene and around its perimeter. The reverse depicts the crucifixion. Here, the figures are clustered around the central figure of Christ, creating a scene heavy with emotional and theological weight. Reinhart’s skillful use of relief transforms the medium into a powerful narrative tool, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the time. The arrangement of the scenes encourages contemplation of sin and redemption. The circular format and dense composition offer an interpretation of the cyclical nature of sin and salvation, deeply embedded in cultural and philosophical discourse.