painting
Icon
Three Nimbed Figures at a Table
Object number
LDSAL316
Artist/Designer/Maker
Unknown artist
Production date
17th century
Material
linen (textile)
Pigment
gold leaf
wood
Pigment
gold leaf
wood
Technique
Painting and Painting Techniques
Dimensions
height: 362mm
width: 223mm
width: 223mm
Associated place
Israel
Object history note
This picture was found by Dr. Edw. Dan. Clarke, on the 3rd day of July, 1801, at the church of Safouri or Sephori, in the Holy Land, about five miles from Nazareth, and between that place and St John d’Acre. The church, once a magnificent building in the form of a Greek cross, is now in ruins. It was in a vaulted stone chamber, where the natives now keep their empty bee-hives, that this picture, with others, formerly a part of the sacred ornaments of the church, were discovered under a heap of rubbish. One of them had been taken out and placed on a rude temporary altar among the ruins, formed of loose stones. It is not certain when the church of Safouri was destroyed. It was dedicated by the primitive Christians to St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of the Virgin, who were said to have resided there. E.D.C.
Content description
The painting shows three nimbed figures, two of whom – a bearded man and a veiled woman – are seated at a meal. Despite the damaged condition of the central zone, five white root vegetables are still discernible, scattered across the table top. The man holds a decorated flask in his right hand, while the woman, her shod feet resting on a footstool, holds a goblet. Half of this female figure appears to be missing. Behind the table, a youthful person wearing a cloak and a jewelled head-dress appears to hold aloft – or gesture towards – an unidentifiable object, most of which is now erased. A candelabrum is suspended above the table. Facial features and folds of fabric are outlined in black, with dramatic highlights composed of white spots and parallel lines. The gilded halos are decorated with free-hand embossed dots and stamped foliate patterns.
Inscriptions
Inscription content
To the left of the head of the bearded figure is the trace of an Arabic inscription painted in white, which has been translated as ...AKIM, thought to be the vestige of the name ‘Joachim’. There are traces of a Greek inscription or monogram either side of the central figure’s head, as well as the remains of an Arabic word, also in white, transcribed as ...YAM, which, it has been suggested, is all that survives of the name ‘Maryam’.
Inscriber role/association
Artist
References
Reference (free text)
George Scharf, A Catalogue of the pictures belonging to the Society of Antiquaries, Somerset House, London (London: Society of Antiquaries of London, 1864). pp. 1-3
Pigment and gilding on linen painting, attached to board, of three Nimbed Figures at a Table (formerly called 'The Virgin and her Parents').