Tree of Jesse
Si può ammirare?
Sì, riceve visite
Esposta al pubblico. Chi lo garantisce è indicato qui sotto.
- Verificato
- 9 giorni fa
- Ultimo cambio di stato
- 25 set 2026
- Fonte
- I dati di collezione del museo stesso
About the sculpture
This alabaster panel represents the popular medieval subject of the Tree of Jesse. The reclining figure at the foot of the panel is Jesse, the father of David, with a vine/tree winding upwards out of his chest and up through the panel, representing his lineage. Descendants sit within the vine, including at the top the Virgin and Child.
In the New Testament Christ's direct genealogical link to David, and hence to Jesse, was emphasised. The subject of the Tree of Jesse was widespread in the Middle Ages, featuring in stained glass, wood and stone sculpture, as well as in alabaster. Jesse's descendants can include figures of kings, prophets and even Sybils.
Read on
Other representations of this subject in alabaster do survive, although they are not very common. They usually show a broadly similar composition to the V&A panel, including a reclining figure of Jesse, with the same figures of King David and the Virgin Mary above. In this example, the iconography of the Virgin and Child is unusual in that the bird held by the Virgin has grasped the Child's finger in its beak.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Scheda
- Numero di inventario
- A.36:1, 2-1954
What it shows
In catalogo
Fonti
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · acquisita 9 giorni fa
- Immagine: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
