Speculum humanae salvationis

The psaltery is linked with the body of Christ in medieval sacred writings and imagery. Its shape mirrors the outline of a human torso, while the strings stretching across stigmata-like sound holes suggest exposed tendons and wounded flesh. The Speculum Humanae Salvationis depicts the crucifixion alongside an image derived from Genesis in which Jubal plays his psaltery while the blacksmith Tubal-cain forges iron nails. The paired illustrations connect the instrument and its sound to Christ’s sacrifice and his followers’ salvation.