King from a Tree of Jesse thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Medieval & Renaissance, Room 9, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Gallery

King from a Tree of Jesse

Panel
ca.1250-1290 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This stained glass panel depicts a king seated within the branches of a tree. Originally, he would have been accompanied by other kings, all arranged one above the other in the centre of the tree. Flanking these kings and standing in the branches, were figures of Old Testament Prophets. The Virgin Mary carrying the Christ Child or the adult Jesus Christ stood at the top of the tree. Jesse, the father of the Old Testament Prophet and King David, lay reclining at the bottom of the panel. The tree rises up from this figure of Jesse. All of these elements formed what is known as a 'Tree of Jesse' window. A Tree of Jesse depicts the geneaology of Jesus Christ and his mother who are said to be descended from the line of King David. This genealogy is depicted, literally, as a tree.

The original window of which this king formed part is not known but it is believed that it is French and dates to the 13th century. Stained glass windows depicting the geneaology of Christ were very popular at this time.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleKing from a Tree of Jesse (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Clear and coloured glass with painted details
Brief description
Clear and coloured glass panel with painted details depicting a seated king in a vesica-shaped floral branch surround. Originally from a Tree of Jesse window. French, second half 13th century with later restorations
Physical description
Panel. King from a Jesse window.
Dimensions
  • In display frame height: 64cm
  • In display frame width: 44.3cm
  • In display frame depth: 3.2cm
  • Sight height: 60.4cm
  • Sight width: 40.7cm
Object history
Bought from 'Wilson'.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This stained glass panel depicts a king seated within the branches of a tree. Originally, he would have been accompanied by other kings, all arranged one above the other in the centre of the tree. Flanking these kings and standing in the branches, were figures of Old Testament Prophets. The Virgin Mary carrying the Christ Child or the adult Jesus Christ stood at the top of the tree. Jesse, the father of the Old Testament Prophet and King David, lay reclining at the bottom of the panel. The tree rises up from this figure of Jesse. All of these elements formed what is known as a 'Tree of Jesse' window. A Tree of Jesse depicts the geneaology of Jesus Christ and his mother who are said to be descended from the line of King David. This genealogy is depicted, literally, as a tree.

The original window of which this king formed part is not known but it is believed that it is French and dates to the 13th century. Stained glass windows depicting the geneaology of Christ were very popular at this time.
Bibliographic reference
M.H. Boisonnot, Les Verrieres de la Cathedrale de Tours, Paris, 1932
Collection
Accession number
2762-1855

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Record createdJuly 28, 1998
Record URL
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