Front and back views of an ornate silver medallion depicting two Christian religious scenes. 　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

One side shows two nude figures (Adam and Eve) standing beside a tree looking up as Eve reaches for fruit. Animals and people surround the couple along the edge. A snake raises its head in bottom center between them. The other side depicts three men hanging on crosses. The man in center (Christ) has arms outstretched, a Roman solider in lower left holds a spear to his waist. Also on the ground, other soldiers with spears look up to Christ in center. Two women kneel away facing lower left. Both sides are engraved with lettering along outer edges.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
BR61.124
People
Hans Reinhart the Elder, German (Wittenberg c. 1510 - 1581 Leipzig)
Title
The Fall of Man (obverse), The Crucifixion (reverse)
Classification
Medals and Medallions
Work Type
medallion
Date
1536
Culture
German
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/222507

Location

Location
Level 2, Room 2340, European and American Art, 17th–19th century, The Silver Cabinet: Art and Ritual, 1600–1850
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Physical Descriptions

Medium
Cast silver medallion
Technique
Cast
Dimensions
6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: recto: ET SICUT IN ADAM OMNES MORIUNTUR ITA ET IN CHRISTUM OMNES VIVIFICABUNTUR UNUSQUISQUE IN ORDINE SUD / IONNS FRIDERICUS ELECTOR DUX SAXONIE FIERI FECIT
  • inscription: verso: UT MOSES EREXIT SERPETE,,TA CHRS IN CRUCE EXATATUS ET TRESUSCITATUS, CAPUT SERPETIS COTRIUIT,UT SALVARET CREDETES / SPES MEA IN DEO EST

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Busch-Reisinger Museum, The Association Fund
Accession Year
1961
Object Number
BR61.124
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Publication History

  • Charles L. Kuhn, German and Netherlandish Sculpture, 1280-1800, the Harvard Collections, Harvard University Press (Cambridge, MA, 1965), p. 22, cat. no. 34 pp. 80-82, repr. as pl. XXXIV
  • Anneliese Harding, German Sculpture in New England Museums, Goethe Institute (Boston, MA, 1972), pp. 10, 16, repr. p. 52 as figs. 80 (obverse), 81 (reverse)

Exhibition History

  • Objects for a Kunstkammer: Early European Collecting, 1550-1700, Harvard University Art Museums, Busch-Reisinger Museum, 12/10/2005 - 11/19/2006
  • 32Q: 2340 Cabinet Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/25/2019 - 06/02/2025; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 07/08/2025 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu