The Christ Child is often shown with birds. A goldfinch is a symbol of the
Passion (they eat thorns, get it?) and swallows are symbols of the
Incarnation( they hibernate in the winter in the mud and spring forth etc)
Don't know about the string. all best, sharon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen A. Allen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 1:58 PM
Subject: Christ with a bird on a string
> 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
> [log in to unmask]
>
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|