In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth

Albert W. Wein, In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth, 1951, bronze, 2 ⁷⁄₈ in. (7.3 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.14

Artwork Details

Title: In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth
Artist: Albert W. Wein
Commissioner: Society of Medallic Arts
Founder: Medallic Art Company
Date: 1951
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 2 ⁷⁄₈ in. (7.3 cm) diam.
Credit Line: Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Mediums: bronze
Mediums Description: bronze
Classifications: Sculpture
Medal
Subjects: Figure male — full length
Religion — Old Testament — Creation
Object Number: 1972.167.14
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1972.167.14

Artwork Description

Research has not revealed the purpose of this medal, but Albert Wein was one of many artists who, after the ravages of the Second World War and the atomic bomb, created images that reaffirmed the values of Western faith and philosophy. The inscriptions and images on the obverse and reverse of this medal come from the story of creation as told in the book of Genesis.