A Jesse-Tree
- Artist: Girolamo Genga
- Date: about 1535
- Medium: bodycolour on parchment
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Jesse-Tree" by Girolamo Genga. Painted in about 1535, it's a small but intricate illustration that depicts the Old Testament prophecy of Christ's ancestry through Jesse, his father and King David's grandfather.
As you can see, Jesse lies at the base of a tree growing from his loins, with various ancestors emerging from its branches. The Virgin and Christ Child occupy the uppermost branch, while other notable figures include Solomon, David, Uzziah, Jehosaphat, Rehoboam, Jotham, Jehoram, Asa, Abijah, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh.
The artist has used tiny hatched brushstrokes to achieve incredible detail in this miniature work. Most of the decoration is picked out in gold, while the rich blue pigment ultramarine adds a deep, jewel-like quality to the background. The overall effect is one of luxury and high value, suggesting that this painting was likely created for a wealthy client or as part of a significant manuscript.
Interestingly, this piece was once attributed to the miniaturist Giulio Clovio, but recent research suggests it's more likely to be a late work by Girolamo Genga.
See it in person
A Jesse-Tree hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
