Monogrammist LCZ: The temptation of Christ (1491 - 1500)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by an unknown German artist with the notname 'Monogrammist LCZ (named after the initials on his work). This piece shows an episode from the New Testament as told in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. According to the texts Christ fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judean desert after he was baptized by saint John the Baptist. During this period of 40 days the devil tried to seduce Christ three times. This print shows the first temptation. The devil approaches Christ points to several stones in front of him:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter (= the devil) came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:1–4)

Engraving from around 1491-1500.