User:Osmanvielma/Graphic

Picture of the Day

Otira River in Arthur's Pass National Park, New Zealand. The photo was taken not too far from Otira River foot-bridge

Shrine of the Three Kings

The Shrine of the Three Kings, Tomb of the Three Kings, or Tomb of the Three Magi is a reliquary traditionally believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men.

The shrine is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus placed above and behind the high altar of Cologne Cathedral in western Germany.

It is considered the high point of Mosan art and the largest reliquary in the Western world.

Parts of the shrine were designed by the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun (1130–1205).

It is shaped like a basilica: two sarcophagi stand next to each other, with the third sarcophagus resting on their roof ridges. The basic structure is made of wood, with gold and silver overlay decorated with filigree, enamel, and over 1,000 jewels and beads, with some pre-Christian intaglio pieces.

The entire outside of the shrine is covered with an elaborate decorative overlay. There are 74 high relief figures in silver-gilt and additional figures in the background decoration, including images of the prophets, apostles, evangelists, of the adoration of the Magi, mother Mary enthroned with the infant Jesus, the Baptism of Christ, Christ enthroned at the Last Judgment, the scourging of Christ, his crucifixion, the resurrected Christ, and a bust of Rainald of Dassel (1120–1167) in the center.

Bust of Rainald of Dassel (1120 – 1167), Archbishop of Cologne and Archchancellor of Italy from 1159 until his death

Ripley Scroll

Rotulum hieroglyphicum, G. Riplaei, Equitis Aurati.

The emblematical Ripley Scroll, supposed to be invented by George Ripley (1415-1490), as it is described by Elias Ashmole in his Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum (London, 1652).

The roll is divided into five panels:

• The first an Alchemist holding an alembic.

Alchemist holding an alembic

Alchemists Revealing Secrets from the Book of Seven Seals, The Ripley Scroll

* The next, which is the largest, a fountain supported by a column with many symbolic accessory figures.

A fountain supported by a column, The Ripley Scroll

* The thrid, a golden eagle on a sphere, with legend The Birde of hermes is my name: eatings my winges to make me tame.

Golden eagle on a sphere, The Ripley Scroll

* The fourth, a large green dragon with other symbols.

A large green dragon with other symbols, The Ripley Scroll

* The last, a full-length figure of the Philosopher, bearing a staff having a scroll wrapped round it, one end terminating in a spear-haed, the other in a horse's hoof shod.

Ripley, as illustrated in a 16th-century edition of the Ripley Scroll

Besides the descriptive legends there are four sets of verses:

1. At the top of the second panel, 10 lines beginning: Of the Sonne take ye thy light the redd gemme that is so bright and ending: of him draw out a cinester flud and thy work shall be good.
2. At the bottom of the second panel, 36 lines beginning: On the ground there is a hell [sic] also a serpent within a well and ending: 'of the white stone and the redd hear is the very true deed'
3. At the bottom of the third panel, 12 lines beginning: In the Sea withouten lees standeth the bride of Hermes and ending: Understand now well and right and thanck you God for this sight
4. At the bottom of the fourth panel, 38 lines beginning: I shall tel you without leasing who and what is my generation and ending: and make them all but one lok here is the philosophers stone.

In the right-hand border, against the end of this poem, is written: This long Rolle was drawne/in Collours for me in Lubeck/in Germay. 1588.

Hermit

Saint Jerome, who lived as a hermit near Bethlehem, depicted in his study being visited by two angels (Cavarozzi, early 17th century)