FRUIT OF TREE OF KNOWLEDGE 251 



sits holding the apple. It seems strange that 

 she should, but it is to be remembered that in 

 German popular rehgion and in German art 

 Saint Anne holds an important place. Altars 

 were often dedicated to her, and the holy family 

 might, in a manner, be called her attribute. 

 Frequently Saint Anne and the Virgin are 

 depicted seated on one seat, apparently with 

 equal possessive rights over the Holy Child, 

 who stands between them. There is also that 

 strange allegorical conception usually styled 

 ' Mutter Anna selb-dritt,' where Saint Anne sits 

 with the Infant Christ on one knee and the 

 Child- Virgin on the other. She was the Virgin's 

 nearest blood-relation, and if the Virgin was 

 without sin, it was Anne, born in sin but the 

 Mother of His Mother, who most nearly con- 

 nected the incarnate Godhead with the erring 

 human race. It was perhaps fitting, therefore, 

 that she, representing sinful humanity, should 

 offer to the Saviour the fruit of the Fall, which 

 in His hand would become the fruit of Redemp- 

 tion. At other times it is Mary who holds the 

 fruit, but offering it to the Saviour, who raises 

 His hand to take it. She, as the second Eve, 



