Tree of Jesse facts for kids
The Tree of Jesse is a special kind of artwork. It shows the family tree of Jesus Christ. Imagine a tree growing from a sleeping man named Jesse. Jesse was the father of the famous King David. From Jesse, the tree branches out to show all the people who came before Jesus. This artwork is actually one of the first "family trees" ever made to show a family's history!
Contents
What is the Tree of Jesse?
The Tree of Jesse is a popular design found in many old churches and artworks. It helps people understand the long line of ancestors that led to Jesus. It starts with Jesse, who was an important person in the Bible.
How Does It Look?
Most Tree of Jesse artworks show Jesse lying down, often asleep. A tree or vine grows from his side or chest. On the branches of this tree, you will see different people. These are the ancestors of Jesus, like King David and other important figures. At the very top of the tree, you will usually see Mary and her son, Jesus.
Where Can You See It?
You can find the Tree of Jesse in many places. It appears in stained glass windows in old cathedrals. It's also seen in paintings, sculptures, and old books. These artworks were made over many centuries, from the 1100s all the way to modern times. Each one is a unique way to tell the story of Jesus's family.
Famous Examples
Some of the most famous examples are in beautiful stained glass windows. For example, the Chartres Cathedral in France has a very old and complete Tree of Jesse window from the 1100s. Canterbury Cathedral in England also has parts of an old Tree of Jesse window. These artworks helped people learn about the Bible when many could not read.
Images for kids
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Miniature, Jacques de Besançon, Paris, around 1485. It shows 43 generations. Below, you can see the birth and childhood of Mary.
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(Painter related to) Geertgen tot Sint Jans, around 1500, oil on panel.
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A typical Jesse Tree from the Late Medieval period. This is a detail from the Spinola Hours of Ludwig by the Master of James IV of Scotland (1510-1520).
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The Jesse Tree in the Lambeth Psalter, by an unknown English artist (1140s). Many features of later artworks are already here.
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The famous 14th-century 'Jesse window' at St Mary's Church Shrewsbury.
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The top part of the Jesse Tree window at Chartres Cathedral, showing Jesus at the very top and Mary below him.
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Only two panels remain of a Jesse Tree window from the late 12th or early 13th century at Canterbury Cathedral.
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A 19th-century window from Notre Dame, Paris.
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The Virgin Mary from the ceiling of St Michael's, Hildesheim.
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A relief of the Tree of Jesse at Cathedral St. Peter, Worms, Germany.
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The oldest complete Jesse Tree window is in Chartres Cathedral, from 1145.
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The start of the Gospel of Matthew from the Fécamp Bible. The first letter is decorated with a Jesse Tree.
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Scherenberg Psalter, around 1260. It shows Mary and Child, David and Solomon above, and Isaiah and Jeremiah below. Notice the doves in the round shapes.
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The bottom part of a large stone relief from Worms Cathedral, from the end of the 15th century. It used to be in the old cloister.
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A 16th-century (?) painting from the Cathedral at Limburg.
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Michael Willmann, 1678, Polish, oil on canvas, "Family tree of Christ", Church Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Krzeszów.
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Basilique Saint-Quentin, France.
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Rose window from the Basilica of St Denis, Paris, showing Jesse in the center. This is not the earliest St Denis Jesse window, which is vertical like Chartres.
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Plaster cast of the "Root of Jesse", originally from Westminster Abbey, Royal Architectural Museum, UK. An albumen print, around 1874.
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Tree of Jesse on stained glass windows of Virga Jesse Basilica, Hasselt (Belgium).
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Tree of Jesse on stained glass windows by Sergio de Castro for the Collégiale de Romont (Switzerland), 1980.
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Holy church Maria of the Castle, Olivenza (Spain).
See also
In Spanish: Árbol de Jesé para niños
