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The World Chronicle is known as the favourite book of the German Middle Ages. More than 100 manuscripts and fragments have come down to us, including 28 illuminated editions. The copy from St. Gall is the most beautiful, decorated with 58 miniatures, mostly double pictures that take up two thirds of the page and are painted with brilliant body colours on a golden ground.
The manuscript, commissioned by King Conrad IV (reigned 1250-1254) from Rudolf from Ems (c. 1200-1254), contains the world history in verse from the Creation to the death of Solomon, followed by a verse romance, a version of the Song of Roland, describing an idealised image of the Christian ruler, Charlemagne, who is subject to divine protection.
The picture shows an open double page of the manuscript (folios 149v and 150r).
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