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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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Last month there was discussion of Jesse Tree tradition and its origin. In doing some research I found some beautiful renditions of the Jesse Tree in medieval art. In this season of preparation as we practice the Jesse Tree tradition in our homes, I thought it would be interesting to include a look at some of the depictions from this time. Jesse is usually portrayed in a reclining position, with a tree growing from his side or belly button and on the branches are the kings of Israel and the ancestors of Jesus. At the top of the tree is Jesus.
So here is a second December art mini study.
A Jesse Tree Girolamo Genga, about 1535
Illuminated Manuscript (artist unknown), German, 13th century
The Tree of Jesse, Jan Mostaert, 1485
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Mary M. in Denver
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Mary G
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| Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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Mary M -- this is very cool and will fit nicely for next week when we'll be cutting back but still wanting to do something .... thanks for all your hard work on these!
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 5:33pm | IP Logged
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This is from the list of links I posted in the Jesse Tree thread.
A few more examples of historic depictions of the Jesse Tree in art:
Jesse Tree window - Chartres, France, 12th century
Jesse Tree window - Selby Abbey
Abbey of St. Werburgh carving - England 14th century
Benedictine Abbey Church of Saint-Denis window - France, 12th century
Church of Notre Dame de la Grande frieze - France, middle ages
Illuminated Manuscript - France, 13th century
Illuminated manuscript - Germany, 12th century
Illuminated manuscript - 16th century
Silver-gilt covered Gospel book - Greece, 17th century
Ivory panel - Germany, 13th century?
And the history:
MaryM wrote:
I think it is a great activity and symbol for families of any Christian faith who want to bring this symbolism into their homes in preparation during Advent.
I'm not really sure of the timeline for these modern versions of a Jesse Tree. The depiction of Christ's royal genealogical heritage in Catholic art is very old. For example the Chartres Cathedral has a beautiful stained glass window, dated 1145 A.D., that depicts the "Jesse Tree." (see below)
Early representations of the Jesse tree are also found in the Church's art, medieval manuscripts and mystery plays. Jesse is usually portrayed in a reclining position, with a tree growing from his side or belly button and on the branches are the kings of Israel, the ancestors of Jesus. At the top of the tree is Jesus.
Catholic Culture website has a very nice summary of the history and use of this symbol here. I think it would help to understand this practice and origins.
The modern use of a Jesse Tree would be a continuation of this into the home or domestic church. It is then simply the Advent custom of using a collection of symbols that portray the fact that Jesus has come, as predicted, from the root of Jesse. These symbols can be hung on a small, literal tabletop-sized tree, or on a branch brought in from outside. They can be hung on small artificial trees made of wood or metals, or on two-dimensional wooden trees. We have always done ours stressing the scriptural history of the world, but I have seen that it can also be done stressing the scriptural prophecy and typology. |
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Mary M. in Denver
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Mary G
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| Posted: Dec 13 2007 at 6:48pm | IP Logged
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Perfect, now I don't have to do the searching! You're a peach, Mare!
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marihalojen
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| Posted: Dec 14 2007 at 7:09am | IP Logged
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Wow! Thank you, Mary! We are enjoying our Jesse Tree so much this year, I know my dd will be fascinated with these links.
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asplendidtime
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Oh really neat Mary! Thankyou!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Nov 12 2008 at 8:06pm | IP Logged
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Bumping up this old topic from last year.
Have you ever seen a list of who was illustrated in the windows and other items especially from the medieval times? I went through all the links and it seems quite vague, unless I can name all the 43 generations that were depicted in one illustration.
I was just curious as to how the modern list of the Jesse Tree corresponds to the original paintings and illustrations.
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leanne maree
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thank you MaryM, My daughter is going to read this again, this year by herself, we read it last year together- she has asked, so I can include this as my part to enrich it.
we too are backing of after next week, getting ready for our summer hols in 3rd week in December.
 Leanne
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MaryM
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| Posted: Nov 14 2012 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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As Advent approaches I am bumping a much beloved topic (and thread). When I put together this study on depictions of the Jesse Tree in art several years ago, I discovered this beautiful symbol in a new way. I think this depiction is so cool. Anyway, this summer when we were in Spain I had this great "Jesse Tree" moment. In the Burgos Cathedral there is the most amazing and details wood carving of the "root of Jesse" in one of the side chapels. I could have stayed there for hours and never fully taken in every inch of it. We have some pictures (which don't do it justice). My husband was really overcome with emotion by this work - I had never shared the art study/depictions when we had done this earlier. So we enjoying it anew and this Advent the Jesse Tree will have added significance to us.
Burgos Cathedral, Diego de la Cruz (painter) and Gil de Siloé (sculptor), Tree of Jesse from the Capilla de Santa Ana, c. 1486-1488, gilt and polychrome sculpture.
And I had heard that there was a Jesse Tree depiction at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, but I didn't really know where to look (was looking on the pillars outside and didn't find it). It is an interior column of the Portico de Gloria (so since I missed it, need to go back  ). We should never have missed it but that is a long story about our experience going in that morning and scaffolding for restoration and not knowing what to look for...I know now 
But here is an internet picture I found. It seems I am definitely finding more pictures online of this topic than were around 5 years ago.
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Mary M. in Denver
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Art Study - Jesse Trees
