Artwork
Coffret with Woodcut of Saint Veronica's Vernicle

Coffret with Woodcut of Saint Veronica's Vernicle is a print by the Gothic painting artist Hans Burgkmair I. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2020.228
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
About this work
Overview
This 16th-century French wooden coffret served dual purposes: as a secure container for valuables and books, and as a portable altar for devotional practices.
Subject & Meaning
The coffret's interior lid features a colored German woodcut depicting Saint Veronica holding the Vernicle, a cloth miraculously imprinted with Christ's face. Accompanying text guides the user in prayer, promising indulgences for the faithful.
Technique & Style
The woodcut, imported from Germany, was hand-colored and affixed to the coffret's lid. This fusion of German printmaking and French woodworking craftsmanship characterizes the object.
History & Provenance
Created in France circa 1515, the coffret combines French construction with a German devotional print. Its ownership history and specific journeys remain undocumented.
Context
The coffret reflects the era's religious practices and the dissemination of faith through portable devotional objects. For broader context on the spread of such prints, see the work of Hans Burgkmair the Elder.
Legacy
As a hybrid object of French and German craftsmanship, the coffret illustrates the intersection of artistic and religious practices in early 16th-century Europe, highlighting the mobility of both people and artifacts during this period.
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