Abstracts
Abstract
A painting by Georg Lemberger (c. 1490–1540) dated 1535 and housed in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg presents a conspicuous variation of the representative Lutheran iconography, the Law and Gospel. The quintessential composition is delineated by the juxtaposition of scenes from the Old and New Testaments set against an unembellished backdrop. In Lemberger’s artistic rendition, however, the positions of the two testaments are inverted and accompanied by a tumultuous landscape in the background. The depictions of the Law and Gospel were conceived as an allegorical representation of faith, elucidating Luther’s doctrine of justificatio sola fide and imparting assurance to observers regarding their individual salvation. In contrast, Lemberger’s revised version portrays human frailty easily falling back into doubts and uncertainty about God and redemption. By giving a visual form to the negative experience the faithful would generally share, the image reminds viewers that they are not alone in such suffering and wondering.
Keywords:
- Law and Gospel,
- Georg Lemberger,
- Lutheranism,
- Faith,
- Pastoral Care
Résumé
Un tableau de Georg Lemberger (v. 1490–1540) daté de 1535 et conservé au Germanisches Nationalmuseum de Nuremberg est une variation manifeste sur le thème iconographique luthérien de la Loi et l’Évangile. La composition typique juxtapose des scènes de l’Ancien et du Nouveau Testament sur un arrière-plan sans fioritures. Dans l’interprétation artistique de Lemberger, la position des deux testaments est toutefois inversée, et l’arrière-plan montre un paysage tumultueux. Les représentations de la Loi et l’Évangile étaient conçues comme une allégorie de la foi, élucidant la doctrine luthérienne de la justificatio sola fideet donnant aux spectateurs l’assurance de leur salut personnel. En revanche, la version révisée de Lemberger dépeint la faiblesse humaine qui retombe facilement dans le doute et l’incertitude vis-à-vis de Dieu et de la rédemption. En donnant une forme visuelle à une expérience négative commune à la plupart des fidèles, l’image rappelle aux spectateurs qu’ils ne sont pas seuls à souffrir et à douter.
Mots-clés :
- La Loi et l’Évangile,
- Georg Lemberger,
- luthéranisme,
- foi,
- soins pastoraux
Appendices
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