DISCOVERART

Michael Wolgemut

The Emblem

1493
woodcut

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In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

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FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

In Christian belief, God speaks the world into existence, creating it and ruling over it. This woodcut is one of over 1,000 images in the Nuremberg Chronicle , an early printed book narrating the history of the Christian world. Amid creeping vines and pillars of cloud, God sits enthroned, lips parted and hand upraised in a gesture of speaking. He holds an orb as a sign of his authority over the universe. The scroll above him reads: “For he [God] spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created. Psalm 22.” Here, God is eternally powerful.

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More by Michael Wolgemut

Nuremberg Chronicle: Topographical View of Basle, SwitzerlandNuremberg Chronicle: Topographical View of Basle, SwitzerlaDer Schatzbehalter: The Last SupperDer Schatzbehalter: The Last SupperDer Schatzbehalter: Gathering of MannaDer Schatzbehalter: Gathering of MannaDer Schatzbehalter: The TrinityDer Schatzbehalter: The TrinityDer Schatzbehalter: Moses Found by Pharaoh's Daughter (recto)Der Schatzbehalter: Moses Found by Pharaoh's Daughter (rectDer Schatzbehalter: Moses Found by Pharaoh's Daughter (recto); Der Schatzbehalter: Christ before Caiaphas (verso)Der Schatzbehalter: Moses Found by Pharaoh's Daughter (rectDer Schatzbehalter: Christ before Caiaphas (verso)Der Schatzbehalter: Christ before Caiaphas (verso)Der Schatzbehalter: The Return of Tobias to Tobit; The Arrival of Tobias' Wife; The Angel Bringing Food and Drink to Elijah in the DesertDer Schatzbehalter: The Return of Tobias to Tobit; The Arri

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