Locust miracle from Barbara altar from the Kalanti church in Finland 1415

Editor: Here we have the tempera painting, "Locust Miracle from Barbara Altar from the Kalanti Church in Finland," crafted around 1415 by Master Francke. There’s something dreamlike about the figures, their expressions, the somewhat flat landscape. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Dreamlike is a wonderful word for it! It’s like stepping into a vividly colored, symbolic landscape where everything whispers secrets. Those locuts, that little dog, the King’s somewhat bemused expression. Look at the layers; the divine subtly peeking from behind the mountain and what that implies… Doesn’t it feel like a memory, half-formed and incredibly precious, struggling to break through? Editor: It does! That little haloed head! Why are there so many locusts? Is it a religious story? Curator: Exactly! It's depicting a plague of locusts and perhaps its resolution, hinting at divine intervention, although filtered through human anxieties and perhaps hopes. Imagine the original altar… it's not just art; it's an offering, a collective plea made beautiful. Don't you feel that collective consciousness somehow? Editor: I do, especially with the stylized way the sheep are all lined up in the front. Curator: Right? It's as if he is pulling things forward so you will pay closer attention. Even the awkward way the artist approaches space makes it compelling. I always think there’s a bit of magic in art from this period because it feels less about strict representation and more about capturing the feeling of belief itself. What do you think about that? Editor: That’s a beautiful way of putting it. It really opens my eyes to viewing it not just as an illustration, but as something much more emotionally resonant. Curator: Precisely! Now, if we move over here and look at... Editor: Thank you! I'm looking forward to more Master Francke.