Gospels and Acts
Geneology of Jesus (Matthew Frontispiece)
This illumination is a family tree structured as both a tree of life and a stylized menorah; the menorah serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. A mandala-like cosmic image near the base is common to several religions and implies the universality of the search for God. The intricate gold medallions above the menorah were inspired by illuminations from the Koran. Reflecting our own time, patterns of DNA double helixes between the outer branches emphasize the connectedness of all humanity.
Genealogy of Jesus, Donald Jackson, ©2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Offset Lithograph, high-quality 10-micron stochastic hybrid printing with fade-resistant ultraviolet inks, silver and gold foils, on acid-free uncoated 100% archival cotton Monadnock paper.