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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 in the Staatsbibliothek, Berlin is only a fragment consisting of 23 folios.
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.
This miniature on folio 10 depicts the Passage of the Red Sea. In the upper scene Moses stretches his hand over the sea, which the Lord divides with an east wind. In the lower scene, the armoured Egyptians ride straight into the waves, where they drown.
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