Reformatory Sequence of Images in the Palace Chapel Neuburg upon the Danube, 1543

Following the late mediaeval tradition, the reformatory series of pictures began to explain the ten commandments with a depiction of the adoration of the Golden Calf. In the Neuburg castle chapel, this pictorial prelude to the Lutheran catechism is chosen as the beginning of the series of pictures on the south side of the gallery floor.

As in the catechism illustrations by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553) the worship of the idol placed on a high column is depicted as a round dance performed by couples. The artist, Hans Bocksberger the Elder (d. 1561), however, exchanged the old German costumes of the printed works of art for a costume inspired by antiquity with a strongly exotic touch.

In the background of the dance, the reception of the tablets of the law by Moses and his destruction of the tablets in anger over the disobedience to the divine commandments by the people is shown simultaneously. The breaking of the tablets was interpreted in the programmatic representations of the Protestant doctrine of justification as man’s failure to keep the law. As a counter-image to the salvation solely by divine grace, it appears in the palace chapel on the side of the wall painting with the worship of the metal serpent.

The first of the ten plagues of Egypt is depicted in the tondo above the Old Testament scene. Moses transforms the waters of the Nile with his staff into blood for seven days. Next to him stands the unbelieving Pharaoh, whose heart Moses is to soften with the plagues.

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