Who painted Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters was painted by Sebald Beham in 1526.

Where can I see Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lot and His Daughters?

Lot and His Daughters is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Lot and His Daughters

Sebald Beham , 1526

Lot and His Daughters is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sebald Beham’s engraving *Lot and His Daughters*, executed circa 1526, presents a compact, finely rendered scene from the biblical narrative. The print measures only a few centimeters across, reflecting the artist’s reputation for miniature works. Central to the composition is Lot, flanked by his two daughters, whose faces convey a subdued emotional tone.

Subject & Meaning

The image visualizes the moment after the destruction of Sodom, when Lot and his daughters seek refuge in a cave. Beham isolates the figures from dramatic background elements, emphasizing their introspective posture and the moral ambiguity of the story. The quiet arrangement invites contemplation of familial bonds and the aftermath of catastrophe.

Technique & Style

Rendered in intricate cross‑hatching, the engraving achieves subtle gradations of tone that model the bodies and suggest depth within the limited space. Beham’s precise line work defines facial expressions and drapery, while a sparsely indicated landscape provides a minimal context. The tight, triangular composition guides the viewer’s eye toward the central figure.

History & Provenance

Created in Nuremberg, where Beham was active among the so‑called “Little Masters,” the print later circulated in Frankfurt, reflecting the artist’s move between the two cities. Surviving impressions are held in several European collections, documenting the work’s continued presence in early‑modern print markets.