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Tree of Jesse

Subject
Late Gothic retable depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus
Author, school, workshop
Wit Stwosz (ca. 1448-1533)
Contributor
-
Style
Late Gothic
Date
1477-1489
Type
Altarpiece in the form of a pentaptych
Material and technique
Wood/carving, gilding, polychrome
Size
2 x 3 m
Signatures and inscriptions
-
Identity number
-
Department
-
Links/analogies
-
Owner
Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
Copyright
Saint Mary's Basilica in Krakow
Location
Saint Mary's altar (by Wit Stwosz) in the presbytery
Description
One of the apostles Late Gothic retable depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Jesus Wit Stwosz (ca. 1448-1533) Late Gothic Altarpiece in the form of a pentaptych Wood/sculpture, gilding, polychrome St Mary's Basilica in Cracow St Mary's altar (by Wit Stwosz) in the presbytery Saint Thomas Saint John the Evangelist Saint Gregory and Saint Jerome One of the prophets Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine Saint Mary and the supporting apostle Saint James the Elder Mary from the scene of the Dormition of Our Lady Tree of Jesse In the predella of the altarpiece is the Jesse Tree. Such a solution is rare and shows that the author of the iconographic programme of the altarpiece was looking for unique and original solutions. In the middle of the predella, the sleeping patriarch Jesse is depicted, with a twisted trunk growing out of his viscera. Seated on the branches are representatives of the successive tribes of Israel, portrayed in dynamic poses, who are regarded as foreshadowing the earthly genealogy of Christ. This extraordinary image is a literal illustration of the words of the Book of Isaiah.