Burning Bush

Date19th century

Mediumtempera, gold leaf

Dimensions30.7 × 26.7 × 3.1 cm

ClassificationsIcon

Credit LineGift of Dr. John Foreman.

Object numberM2002.050

DescriptionIn the centre is a concave blue pitched square containing a central roundal with Mary holding the Christ Child with her left arm. In her right hand she holds a small red ladder with a tiny disembodied head at the top. In the vertices of the concave square four angels are situated surrounded by small stars. Behind this is a rotated red concave square with the winged symbols of the four gospel writers in each corner. Around these squares are coloured bubbles - alternating dark red, dark green, brown and olive - with an angel inside each one. Outside the borders of these shapes, are various Biblical scenes with inscriptions in the border. UL: Moses and the burning bush. UR: Christ blossoming from the root of Jesse. (Isaiah 11:1) LR: Jacob sees a ladder reaching to heaven with God climbing it. LL: Christ stands on a storey of a building with a figure kneeling in front of it.

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