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, 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
Copied 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
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
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • 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.