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This woodcut is the work of Michael Wohlgemut (1434 – 1519) for an illustration in Stephan Fridolin, Der Schatzbehalter oder Schrein der waren Reichtümer des Heils und ewger Seligheit, which was one of the 15th century’s most brilliantly illustrated books.  It was printed printed by Anton Koberger in Nürnberg in 1491, and formed the backdrop for his even more ambitious book of the next year, the Schedel Liber chronicarum (also known as the Nuremberg Chronicle).  Both books’ illustrations were by Wohgemut and Pleydenwurff atelier (a “school” in which Albrecht Durer had received some of his early training). 

This center of this woodcut shows the birth of Jesus Christ, a scene circumscribed by numerous other layers representing the heavens and, ultimately, the universe with layer of the heavens  given a zodiacal symbol.  The whole is set in a sketchy blue “sky”, supported underneath by the hand of the creator.  The left hand.  Generally, at least in my memory, images of the creator’s hands have been the right hand.  I’m not so sure why this one is the left.  But it is, and, well, that is unusual.  I don’t know what it means, if anything.