Cologne Bible Collection

BIRTH OF EVE. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478

BALaM AND ASS. Balaams ass perceives the angel of the Lord, unseen to Balaam (Numbers: 22-24). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

Moses praying for the victory of Israel, 1480 (1964). From the Cologne Bible. A print from A History of Wood Engraving, by Douglas Percy Bliss, Spring Books, London, 1964

JOSEPH AND THE PIT. Joseph cast into the pit by his brothers (Genesis 37: 18-28). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

DAVID AND BATHSHEBA. King David watches Bathsheba bathe (2 Samuel 11: 2). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

PLAGUE OF BOILS AND BLAINS. Moses is directed to take handfuls of ashes of the furnace and sprinkle them toward heaven, thereby producing boils and blains upon man and beast (Exodus 9: 8-12)

FOUR HORSEMEN. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1479

JACOB BLESSING HIS SONS. Jacobs twelve sons gathered to hear their fathers prophecies regarding each of them and to receive his blessing (Genesis 49). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-1480

PLAGUE OF HAIL. The terrific hailstorm accompanied by thunder and fire which ran up along the ground (Exodus ix: 13-35). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible of 1478-80

ISRAELITES GATHERING MANNA. Moses stands asides (at left) while the Israelites gather Manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16: 1-21). Woodcut from the Great Cologne Bible of 1478-80

PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS. The locusts brought by a strong east wind are devouring the vegatation, and Pharaoh is powerless (Exodus 10: 12-15). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible of 1478-80

NOAHs ARK UPON THE WATER. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478

ST PAUL, COLOGNE BIBLE. St Paul hands an epistle to a messenger: woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-1480

WAR ELEPHANT. I Maccabees vi 30. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

NEHEMIAH & THE TEMPLE. Nehemiah rekindling the holy fire upon the altar of the restored temple after the return from the Babylonian exile (2 Maccabees i 17-30)

MOSES & BURNING BUSH. Moses and the burning bush from which God speaks (Exodus III, 1-4: 9)
MOSES & BURNING BUSH. Moses and the burning bush from which God speaks (Exodus III, 1-4:9). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

GIDEON. At left, communes with God, seeking a sign by the formation of dew upon the fleece while at right, Gideon selects his men by the way they drink from the river (Judges 6, 7)

BUILDING ARK OF COVENANT. The smiths Bezaleel and Aholiah working in gold, silver and brass for the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 31: 1-11). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

PLAGUE OF HAIL. The terrific hailstorm accompanied by thunder and fire which ran up along the ground (Exodus ix: 13-35). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible of 1478-80

JACOB BLESSES SONS. Jacobs twelve songs gathered to hear their fathers prophecies regarding each of them and to receive his blessing (Genesis 49). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-1480

EZRA & DARIUS. Ezra kneels before King Darius (Ezra vi). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-1480

JOSEPH & WIFE OF POTIPHAR. Potiphar and his wife, holding Josephs mantle, watch Joseph being cast into prison (Genesis 39: 12-29). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

aRONs ROD. Moses (right) observes as Aarons rod, representing the tribe of Levi, is the only one of the 12 set up in the Tabernacle that flowers and yields almonds (Numbers 17)

BURIAL OF aRON. The burial of Aaron, brother of Moses, on Mount Hor (Numbers 20: 22-29). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

aRONs STAFF TRANSFORMS. Aarons staff becomes a serpent, which swallows the other serpents created by Eqyptian magicians, while Moses (right) turns the waters into blood. (Exodus 7: 8-25)

MOSES BLESSING JOSHUA. Moses blesses the kneeling Joshua and inducts him into the leadership of the Israelites (Numbers 27: 18-23). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

NaMAN BATHING. Naaman the Syrian bathes in the waters of the Jordan River at the advice of the prophet Elisha and rids himself of his leprosy (2 Kings 5). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

PLAGUE OF FLIES. The Plague of Flies (Exodus 8: 20-24). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible of 1478-80

ABRAHAM & THREE ANGELS. (Genesis 18: 1-8). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

YOHEVET HIDING MOSES. Yohevet places her infant, Moses, into an ark of bulrushes upon the waters of the Nile River, where he is found by Pharaohs daughter (Exodus 2: 1-10)

ST. PAUL AND MESSENGER. Saint Paul handing an epistle to a messenger. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

DEATH OF ABSALOM. Absalom is put to death by pursuing soldiers after being caught in a tree by his hair (2 Samuel 18: 9-15). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

ARK OF THE COVENANT. David leading the procession before the cart carrying the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-Jearim towards Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6: 1-5). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

BURIAL OF MOSES. The burial of Moses in a valley in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy 35: 5-6). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

BRAZEN SERPENT. Israelites bitten by fiery serpents are saved when they look upon the brazen image of a serpent, set up on a pole by Moses (Numbers 21: 6-9). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

KORAH, DATHAN, AND ABIRAM. Aaron and Moses, with representatives of the people (left), watch as the Lord sends an earthquake which swallows the rebels Korah, Dathan

BURIAL OF JACOB. The sons of Jacob burying their father in the cave of Machpelah in the land of Canaan, next to the graves of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (Genesis 50: 1-13)

DAVID AND BATHSHEBA. King David watches Bathsheba bathe (2 Samuel 11: 2). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

DAVID OFFERED CROWN. King Saul falls on his sword after the battle of Gilboa, and the crown is offered to the lamenting David (1 Samuel 31: 1-6 and 2 Samuel 1: 1-17)

JOSEPH AND THE PIT. Joseph cast into the pit by his brothers (Genesis 37: 18-28). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

BUILDING ARK OF COVENANT. The smiths Bezaleel and Aholiah working in gold, silver and brass for the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 31: 1-11). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

JOSEPH & WIFE OF POTIPHAR. Potiphar and his wife, holding Josephs mantle, watch Joseph being cast into prison (Genesis 39: 12-29). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

BALaM AND ASS. Balaams ass perceives the angel of the Lord, unseen to Balaam (Numbers: 22-24). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

MOSES AND BURNING BUSH. Moses and the burning bush from which God speaks (Exodus iii I-IV 9). Woodcut from the Great Cologne Bible, 1478-1480

SAMUEL ANOINTING DAVID (I Samuel 16). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

SAMUEL ANOINTING SAUL (I Samuel 10: 1). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80
SAMUEL ANOINTING SAUL (I Samuel 10:1). Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478-80

PLAGUE OF FROGS. The Second Plague; on the left, Moses is receiving instructions from the Lord and passing them in to Aaron. On the right, frogs everywhere (Exodus viii: 1-13)

NOAHs ARK UPON THE WATER. Woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1478

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The Cologne Bible, a masterpiece of medieval art and religious devotion, is a treasure trove of biblical stories depicted through stunning woodcuts. One such captivating image is the "Birth of Eve, " where we witness the creation of Adam's companion in intricate detail. The delicate lines and rich textures bring this pivotal moment to life. In another woodcut titled "Balaam and Ass, " we are transported to an extraordinary encounter between Balaam and an angel unseen by him but perceived by his loyal donkey. This powerful scene from Numbers: 22-24 serves as a reminder that sometimes even animals possess greater perception than humans. Moving forward, we come across the dramatic depiction of the plagues inflicted upon Egypt in 1480 (1964). These haunting images capture the wrath unleashed on Pharaoh's kingdom, including Moses praying fervently for victory against all odds. The intensity and emotion conveyed through these woodcuts leave us awe-struck. One cannot overlook the scandalous tale of David and Bathsheba portrayed with great sensitivity in 2 Samuel 11:2. King David watches Bathsheba bathe, igniting a chain of events that would forever alter their lives. The Cologne Bible masterfully captures this moment, evoking both fascination and contemplation. Amongst its many wonders lies one particularly chilling portrayal - "The Four Horsemen. " These apocalyptic figures ride forth with an air of foreboding as they herald doom upon humanity. Whether rendered in color or black-and-white woodcuts, their presence sends shivers down our spines. On a more serene note, we find Jacob blessing his twelve sons gathered around him eagerly awaiting their father's prophecies. This tender scene showcases familial bonds amidst divine blessings – a testament to faith passed down through generations. As we delve deeper into Exodus' narrative, we witness the plague of hail wreaking havoc on Egypt while thunder roars overhead accompanied by fire raining down from the heavens.