painting, oil-paint
allegory
painting
oil-paint
figuration
oil painting
northern-renaissance
Geertgen tot Sint Jans painted "The Tree of Jesse" sometime in the late fifteenth century. It's a visual rendering of Christ's lineage, sprouting from Jesse, who lies sleeping at the base. The tree motif is ancient, predating Christianity. From the Nordic Yggdrasil to the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis, it symbolizes life, growth, and connection. In this image, it embodies genealogical continuity, illustrating Jesus's human ancestry. This symbol transcends time, finding echoes in family trees, diagrams, and even modern data visualization. The image suggests a powerful, subconscious longing for roots and heritage, tapping into our collective memory and primal connection with nature. It is a constant rebirth, branching out and bearing new fruit.
Comments
Pictured here symbolically is Christ’s family tree. It grows out of the sleeping figure of Jesse, forefather of a line of kings that included, according to tradition, Salomon, David and Jesus.The branches are filled with the kings of Israel, among them King David with his harp. At top, the Virgin is enthroned with the Christ Child on her lap.
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