Art Institute of Chicago

Jesus Calling Zacchaeus from Geistliche Auslegung des Lebens Jesu Christi (The Spiritual Interpretation of the Life of Christ), Plate 15 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century

Unknown Artist (near Ulm, 15th century)

Date

c. 1485, portfolio assembled 1929

Medium

Woodcut in black, and letterpress in black (recto and verso), on cream laid paper

Culture

Germany

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This sparely drawn, anonymous woodcut suggests an incomplete design for stained glass. Copies of the complete book, The Spiritual Interpretation of the Life of Christ , were doubtless also offered in a boldly hand-colored version. In this scene (Luke 19: 1-10), Jesus Christ passes through Jericho and notices a wealthy, but diminutive, devotee who has climbed a sycamore tree (drawn here with recognizable seed pods) in order to see him better. Recognizing Zacchaeus’s enthusiasm, Christ invites himself and his entourage to dinner, guaranteeing both his host’s conversion and salvation. German Bible verse translations, simple illustrations, and prayers help the attentive reader along the same path.

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