Six days of creation 

Editor: This tempera painting, titled "Six Days of Creation," comes to us from Hildegard of Bingen, though its exact date is unknown. I’m struck by how much it feels like a map of a spiritual world; it’s both beautiful and a little bewildering. What's your initial reaction when you look at this, and how do you even begin to interpret something so symbolic? Curator: Bewildering is a wonderful way to put it. It feels like peering into someone else’s incredibly vibrant dream, doesn't it? This piece… it's a symphony of color and faith. The circular form representing the cosmos, cradling the narrative of creation itself. Notice how the artist doesn’t attempt literal representation? Instead, we're given symbolic glimpses into divine acts. The figures almost seem to emerge from the light. What catches your eye about the characters? Editor: I suppose their positions... sort of bursting forth like you said... I see how it communicates their divine origin, maybe even divine purpose? Curator: Precisely! They aren’t merely figures; they’re embodiments of an unfolding story. Hildegard, a visionary in every sense, used her art to convey spiritual understanding, so in essence it is the creation story made tangible. It’s a journey through faith, brought to life with extraordinary color. Editor: It is a very lively expression for the early middle ages. So it depicts not just the "what" but also the "how" of creation... It's like peering through a kaleidoscope of someone's faith. Thanks for the insight. Curator: Absolutely. And who knows? Maybe that glimpse into Hildegard's faith can help us reflect on our own kaleidoscopes. What an exciting discovery this was!