The Temptation of Christ, from Das Plenarium

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Temptation of Christ a delicate hand-colored woodcut from Schäufelein's illustrations for *Das Plenarium*, popular German prayer book published by Adam Petri in 1517. This tiny print (just under 4 by 3 inches) captures a pivotal biblical moment from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus resists Satan's temptations in the wilderness—a scene rich with themes of faith, trial, and divine strength. Schäufelein, a Nuremberg artist trained in Albrecht Dürer's workshop, the Northern Renaissance's mastery of woodcuts, a technique that allowed intricate designs to be carved into wood blocks for mass production. The hand-coloring elevates this humble medium, adding vibrant hues that would have drawn worshippers' eyes during private devotions. Woodcuts like this democratized religious art in the early 16th century, making high-quality imagery accessible beyond elite patrons amid the stirrings of the Protestant Reformation—coinciding with Martin Luther's 95 Theses that very year. Schäufele's precise lines and dramatic compositions reflect the era's blend of Gothic detail and emerging Renaissance humanism. Today, this gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection (gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1961) invites us to ponder timeless spiritual struggles through Schäufelein’s skilled lens.

About the Artist

Hans Schäufelein|Adam Petri · 1480–1540

Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480–c. 1540) was a German painter and graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance whose career placed him at the heart of one of the most dynamic artistic environments in European history. As a young man, he entered the workshop of Albrecht Dürer in Nuremberg, an experience that proved decisive: Dürer's meticulous approach to draughtsmanship, his mastery of printmaking, and hi...