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Notes
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In the Middle Ages, the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would spring from the family of Jesse, the father of David, was interpreted visually as a family tree. Here, Jesse lies at the base of the tree which grows from his loins. The ancestors of Christ are shown emerging from the branches of the tree, the uppermost of which is occupied by the Virgin and Christ Child. This small picture is painted on parchment or paper, which was commonly used for manuscript illustration. It is painted in minute detail with tiny hatched brushstrokes, and most of the decoration is picked out in gold – techniques also typical of manuscript illustration. The painting was once believed to be by the miniaturist Giulio Clovio, but there is no evidence to suggest this was the case.
Title
A Jesse-Tree
Date
about 1535
Medium
Gum or egg white? on parchment or paper
Measurements
H 22.2 x W 14 cm
Accession number
NG3119
Acquisition method
Layard Bequest, 1916
Work type
Painting
