Seductive Eve

Adam and Eve by the German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1533). Here Eve is downright feeding Adam and the snake seems her worthy companion.

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah (1537) by the German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1533).
As it was normal in that time the painting is full of narrative details. First there is Delilah cutting the hair. The hero is barefoot, indicating that he’s sleeping. On the other hand he wears his armor to show that he’s a warrior. In front of him there is the jawbone his most famous weapon, with which he killed once a thousand men. And in the woods are already approaching his enemies, to take him prisoner.

Posing as Judith

Here three more examples of Judith by the German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1533).





He was court painter to the Electors of Saxony the leaders of the Protestant Reformation and it seems that many of the noble ladies in Saxony liked it to be depicted as Judith the savior of her people. Cranach did maybe more than a dozen which can be found now in museums over half of the world.

Lot as a Victim

Lot and his daughters by the German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553). It’s probably from about 1528, but that’s not sure because Cranach painted at least four like this.

It’s a kind of psychedelic or symbolist painting. I like that bloody rainbow above Sodom.
But what’s really interesting. That it is one of the rare examples where Lot appears as the victim. It seems that Cranach hadn’t any doubt that the poor old man was totally manipulated by his two cool looking daughters.

Judith and Salome

Comparing this two paintings the most surprising thing for me is their similarity. The heads are nearly the same. Nevertheless they illustrate two totally different stories. First we see Judith with the head of Holofernes and then Salome with the head Of St John The Baptist.

Both were painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in the 1530s. But the resemblance of the two figures wasn't only his problem, it stretches through art history. Many times Judith and Salome seemed to be the same person.

There are only a few signs that could help to distinguish them.

Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Typical for Judith is the sword, because she did the killing herself. But there are some cases when Salome too is shown with a sword.

Salome with the Head Of St John The Baptist

Very typical for Salome is the plate. If she's not performing her famous dance she's nearly every time wearing ist - Judith never.