Family History

       


 






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Frontispiece from Le voyage de Charles Magius
Gouache on paper, anonymous, before 1578
Bibliothèque nationale de France
 

Text translation:
'Having entered here, you will find the series and notable images of the family tree of the Magi, then the images of the Magi themselves, the knights of Jerusalem, their sons, and finally the various events and outcomes of the man. - In the year of our Lord 1578.'
 

A richly detailed frontispiece presents a small framed image of Christ on the cross at the top, symbolising his sacrifice and redemption. At the bottom, Religion is personified as a woman leaning on a column to the left, contemplating the divine suffering, while Hope, standing nearby, offers comfort through the promise of salvation.