During a recent visit to London, I visited the Courtauld
gallery (which I recommend to all list members) and came
across an early 16th-century triptych of the Virgin and
Child. In this tryptich, the Christ child is holding on to
one end of a string, the other end of which is tied around
the neck of a small bird, perhaps a swallow, being held by
an angel. I vaguely recall seeing this motif elsewhere,
and I was hoping this list could enlighten me as to its
meaning. The best I can come up with is that it is a
reference to the story from the apocryphal infancy
narratives of the young Christ making birds out of clay and
then bringing them to life. Does anyone have another, more
informed interpretation?
With thanks in advance,
Stephen A. Allen
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