Thursday, December 11, 2008

Another Striking Micah Image, from the Ghent Altarpiece



The posting of the image of Micah yesterday (click here) reminded me of one of my favorite Micah depictions, the one in the Ghent Altarpiece. For an introduction to this altarpiece, click here. The work was commissioned by a wealthy merchant and financier named Joost Vijdt, and was begun by Hubert van Eyck, who died in 1426 before the piece was finished. It was completed by his younger brother Jan van Eyck. The Micah image is on the back panels, on the top upper right when the panels are viewed closed. It is particularly appropriate now in Advent season, since Micah looks down from his lunette on the fulfillment of his prophecy of a Messiah to be born in Bethlehem.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm trying to translate the latin banderole behind Micah and I'm having trouble reading the script...Do you happen to know exactly what the latin is? I've only been able to figure out
"En _______ qui ut ________ ___ _______"

And I'm not even certain that the "En" is correct....

Tue Jan 25, 10:55:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger S and C said...

Hi, it must be the latin of Micah 5:2, thus: "ex te mihi egredietur qui sit dominator in Israhel." ---SLC

Mon Jan 31, 08:46:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Mason Barge said...

Thank you SLC, awesome job!

Sat Nov 10, 09:34:00 AM GMT-5  

Post a Comment

<< Home