Together, Cranach's paintings and Luther's powerful oratory created a force field that transformed Germany, Europe, and ultimately the Western world

This compelling book retells and revises the story of the German Renaissance and Reformation through the lives of two controversial men of the sixteenth century: the Saxon court painter Lucas Cranach (the Serpent) and the Wittenberg monk-turned-reformer Martin Luther (the Lamb). Contemporaries and friends (each was godfather to the other’s children), Cranach and Luther were very different Germans, yet their collaborative successes merged art and religion into a revolutionary force that became the Protestant Reformation. Steven Ozment, an internationally recognized historian of the Reformation era, reprises the lives and works of Cranach (1472–1553) and Luther (1483–1546) in this generously illustrated book. He contends that Cranach's new art and Luther's oratory released a barrage of criticism upon the Vatican, the force of which secured a new freedom of faith and pluralism of religion in the Western world. Between Luther's pulpit praise of the sex drive within the divine estate of marriage and Cranach's parade of strong, lithe women, a new romantic, familial consciousness was born. The "Cranach woman" and the "Lutheran household"—both products of the merged Renaissance and Reformation worlds—evoked  a new organization of society and foretold a new direction for Germany.

"“Ozment describes Cranach’s many-faceted character . . . [and] makes a compelling case for Cranach’s importance as an artist and man of faith whose collaboration with the great Reformer was central to the spread of Protestantism.”—Debra Bendis, Christian Century" - Christian Century

"“Fascinating.”—European Histories" - European Histories

"The Serpent and the Lamb is packed with stunning images and brilliant analysis, a sheer delight for serious readers of Reformation era history and art."—Brian Odom, Washington Independent Review of Books - Washington Independent Review of Books

"“[An] intriguing account . . . a delightful and in-depth look . .  . packed with stunning images and brilliant analysis . . .  a sheer delight.”—Brian Odom, Washington Independent Review of Books" - Washington Independent Review of Books

"“Compelling . . . vigorously narrated . . . Ozment finds an inner logic to Cranach's life and work.”—Matt Lundin, Books & Culture" - Books and Culture

"“Masterful . . . Steven Ozment does a wonderful job of delivering history with a style that keeps the reader reading.”—Chris Enstad, Englewood Review of Books " - Englewood Review of Books

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"Ozment makes a compelling case for Cranach's importance as an artist and man of faith whose collaboration with the great Reformer was central to the spread of Protestantism."—Christian Century

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"Ozment makes a compelling case for Cranach's importance as an artist and man of faith whose collaboration with the great Reformer was central to the spread of Protestantism."—Christian Century

"Ozment makes a compelling case for Cranach's importance as an artist and man of faith whose collaboration with the great Reformer was central to the spread of Protestantism."—Christian Century

- Christian Century

"“Carefully researched, elegantly written, spirited and provocative . . . Another of [this book’s] outstanding features is the selection of 77 black and white plates and 11 color plates, accompanied by Ozment’s invariably insightful and thought-provoking commentary.”—Denis R. Janz, America" - America

"This work will be of great interest to all those—theologians, historians of art, Christian ministers, or laypeople—who seek to understand better the role of visual art in the spread of the Reformation, which has significant implications for the church's worship and work today."—David McNutt, Anglican Theological Review - Anglican Theological Review