Gathering Manna

Friedrich Brunner|Jan Pollack

1497–99 · Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint, and silver stain · The Cloisters

The Book of Exodus recounts that, after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God nourished his people with quail in the evening and manna, a white bread-like substance that miraculously fell from heaven. Here Moses, seen at the left of the left panel, and his brother Aaron behind him, watch as the Israelites gather up the food. In a second panel (2010.22.2), men carry their shares to a tent. The compositions of these panels, with their idiosyncratic figural style, animated faces, verve of line and form, and narrative charm, are attributed to Jan Pollack, the preeminent Munich panel painter of the time, while the execution of the glass with its accomplished painting and vibrant palette is given to Friedrich Brunner and his workshop. The church of the Savior was turned over to the Greek Orthodox community in 1829; these panels were removed from the church by 1906, eventually entering a private collection. The rest of the stained glass was mostly destroyed during World War II.

Artist

Friedrich Brunner|Jan Pollack

Date

1497–99

Medium

Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint, and silver stain

Culture

German

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

Purchase, The Cloisters Collection and Gift of The Hearst Foundation, by exchange, 2010