The Carpet of Michelfeld

Unknown artist

The attribution of the multi-part, printed by six sticks and dated after 1521 woodcut is not clarified with regard to the spiritual creator, cutter and publisher. Like Adam von Bartsch (1757-1821) before him, Heller included the work under the heading “Doubtful Leaves” in his 1827 published Dürer publication (cf. Heller Dürer 1827 II.783,2059). The wheel of fortune of the Fortuna leads the six groups of figures or individual figures. As an opponent, the allegory of time and a fox move the wheel on which animals symbolically sit. All are described in text fields in the form of spread scrolls. This is followed by five stand presentations, which share a common banner. They move towards three women at the pillory. These are the personifications of justice with bound hands, the truth with closed mouth and reason with also bound hands. In the waving volume above them is the verdict of the following judge, who is proud to have banished them. A teacher and a cleric with a bag book are turned to the judge to learn from him. The rhyme closes with the Last Judgement in the personification of the world judge. The title refers to a carpet made of Michelfeld Palace on the Rhine. (Cf. Schoch II.525.A 22)