Who painted Adoration of the Lamb?

Adoration of the Lamb was painted by Hans Leonhard Schäufelein in 1538.

Where can I see Adoration of the Lamb?

Adoration of the Lamb is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Adoration of the Lamb?

Adoration of the Lamb is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Adoration of the Lamb?

Museum-quality prints of Adoration of the Lamb are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Adoration of the Lamb

Hans Leonhard Schäufelein , 1538

Adoration of the Lamb is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Hans Leonhard Schäufelein. It dates from 1538 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Hans Leonhard Schäufelein’s 1538 work titled *Adoration of the Lamb* is an oil painting that resides in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie.

Hans Leonhard Schäufelein’s 1538 work titled *Adoration of the Lamb* is an oil painting that resides in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie. The composition gathers a multitude of figures on a celestial platform, each rendered in elaborate costume. At the centre, a robed man presents a lamb upon a table, while surrounding participants gesture toward the animal or toward one another, creating a dynamic, narrative scene.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif—a white‑robed figure cradling a lamb—evokes the biblical symbolism of Christ as the sacrificial Lamb. The surrounding crowd, equipped with books, swords and musical instruments, suggests a gathering of diverse social and ecclesiastical roles, all united in reverence. The upward gazes and inter‑figural glances reinforce a communal act of worship directed toward the divine emblem.

Technique & Style

Schäufelein employs a finely detailed rendering of fabric, with intricate folds that convey texture and movement. The palette is dominated by muted earth tones punctuated by luminous highlights on the lamb and the celestial clouds. Angelic figures hover in the background, rendered with delicate brushwork that contrasts with the more solid, sculptural treatment of the human forms.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1538, the painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on public display. Its provenance traces back to early 16th‑century German workshops, reflecting the period’s devotional commissions for ecclesiastical patrons.

Context

Created during the Reformation era, the work reflects contemporary theological emphasis on the Eucharistic symbolism of the Lamb of God. Schäufelein, active in the Swabian school, often blended narrative complexity with meticulous detail, aligning his practice with the broader Northern Renaissance focus on devotional imagery and intricate figural groupings.