Getty Museum
The Wall of Metals and Jewels Surrounding Angels and Saints
Creator
Simon MarmionFlemish Illuminator · 1450–1489
All works by this person →Not long after his death, Simon Marmion was praised by the poet Jean Lemaire de Belges as the "prince of illumination." This reputation probably owed much to the artist's proficiency in depicting nature and his skill as a storyteller. Marmion was especially gifted in the representation of light and the textures of objects, as well as the creation of engaging psychological content in the gestures a
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- 1475
- Medium
- Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink
- Culture
- Franco-Flemish
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
- Object ID
- a55076a9-0925-4a83-a601-ccaba74b3851
In this last miniature in the manuscript, the angel brings Tondal's soul to a beautiful wall in heaven, designed to give consolation and joy to the most deserving. The wall, according to the author "shimmered as if aflame [with] crystal, jasper, chrysolite, hyacinth, sapphire, emerald, onyx, topaz, sardonyx, chrysoprase, amethyst, and garnet." Tondal's soul is so inspired by the sight that he asks the angel if he can stay forever. The angel explains that he must return to his body and bids him to heed the lessons learned from the sights he has seen. At the conclusion of his mystical journey, Tondal's soul is reunited with his body. Awakening from his illness, Tondal promptly asks for Communion and "donate[s] all his worldly good to the poor and order[s] the sign of the Cross put upon all his garments."
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