The fall of Babylon and the ensuing lamentations are the subject of an entire chapter of the Revelation which Colin Chadewe took pleasure in breaking down into many paintings. Whilst following the progress of John’s narrative step by step, they evoke the end of the city in different ways in order to perpetuate the event, varying appearances to avoid repetitions.
The inventory of the goods mentioned by John covers three registers. The artist devotes the first two to luxury items. Hanging from a rod, next to a gilded, bronze thurible, are curtains and bags of different sizes made of fine linen and scarlet, woven with golden or silver thread. Displayed on a white cushion beneath them are items of jewellery with multicoloured gemstones set in gold mounts and surrounded by pearls. Laid out alongside them are glass goblets, precious vessels, copperware and phials of perfumes, myrrh and incense, and spices too: cinnamon and cardamom with odorous seeds. Gathered in the third register are barrels of wine and oil, horses with splendid saddles, a flock of sheep, and finally a sack and basket of wheat.
Marie-Thérèse Gousset and Marianne Besseyre
Illuminated Manuscripts Research Center, Bibliothèque nationale de France
Fragment of the Apocalypse of 1313 commentary volume
The fall of Babylon and the ensuing lamentations are the subject of an entire chapter of the Revelation which Colin Chadewe took pleasure in breaking down into many paintings. Whilst following the progress of John’s narrative step by step, they evoke the end of the city in different ways in order to perpetuate the event, varying appearances to avoid repetitions.
The inventory of the goods mentioned by John covers three registers. The artist devotes the first two to luxury items. Hanging from a rod, next to a gilded, bronze thurible, are curtains and bags of different sizes made of fine linen and scarlet, woven with golden or silver thread. Displayed on a white cushion beneath them are items of jewellery with multicoloured gemstones set in gold mounts and surrounded by pearls. Laid out alongside them are glass goblets, precious vessels, copperware and phials of perfumes, myrrh and incense, and spices too: cinnamon and cardamom with odorous seeds. Gathered in the third register are barrels of wine and oil, horses with splendid saddles, a flock of sheep, and finally a sack and basket of wheat.
Marie-Thérèse Gousset and Marianne Besseyre
Illuminated Manuscripts Research Center, Bibliothèque nationale de France
Fragment of the Apocalypse of 1313 commentary volume
