Artwork
Border Illustration for the Missale Romanum: The Tree of Jesse
Border Illustration for the Missale Romanum: The Tree of Jesse is an ink print by the Baroque artist Theodor Galle. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Theodor Galle's engraving, 'Border Illustration for the Missale Romanum: The Tree of Jesse,' is a print on laid paper, created in 1613 as a proof before letters.
Subject & Meaning
The image features a border with various figures, including people praying or playing instruments, and animals, surrounding a blank central space. The top section depicts a tree containing figures, while the bottom shows a reclining woman with a nearby lion, symbolizing the Tree of Jesse, a biblical motif representing Jesus' ancestry.
Technique & Style
The work is an engraving, a technique involving carving detailed images into metal plates, which were then printed onto paper. The busy border and intricate details demonstrate Galle's skill with this medium.
Context
This border illustration was designed to decorate pages in a Missale Romanum, a Catholic liturgical book. The blank center was intended to be filled with another image, highlighting the print's purpose as a complementary element within a larger publication.
Artist & collection
Border Illustration with the Tree of Jesse
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