DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62134#0108
100
AN ART-STUDENT IN MUNICH.
out between the hills. Down the grassy slopes descends
a train of gorgeously-attired horsemen and men on foot:
these are the attendants of Gaspar., Melchior, and Balthasar,
the three kings, now entering the ruin to adore the meek,
heavenly Infant. Gaspar, the eldest of the three, has a
wrinkled brow and a benign aspect. He kneels before the
Child, his aged hands folded together in quiet prayer. He
wears a long scarlet, jewel-clasped, and fur-trimmed tunic,
bound round the waist. At his knee lies his violet velvet
gold-embroidered cap of mediaeval cut. Melchior has
sunk upon one knee on entering beneath the roof,
and presents to mild old Joseph a rich crystal goblet.
Another crystal and golden goblet stands upon a
little table near to the Virgin, the offering of Gaspar.
Melchior has a noble, manly countenance and bearing;
both his face and figure are seen in profile, as he kneels
there in his gold-embroidered crimson velvet tunic, which,
parting at the side and confined round the waist by a gem-
encrusted band, displays a sleeve and hose of deep blue
velvet, and a gorgeously-wrought dagger hanging at his
side. Crisp, wavy, brown hair parts upon his forehead,
flowing backward on to the shoulders, and a pointed beard
gives a peculiar character to the whole head. The tradi-
tion is, that in Melchior, Memling has portrayed his patron
an cl military general, Charles of Burgundy. He is a
gallant gentleman of the fifteenth century; and among
such must Memling himself have fought and feasted.
Balthasar is of a still more youthful figure, and is entering
from the meadow, bearing in his hand a third rich goblet.
His costume is of violet velvet, and has a decidedly oriental
character about it.
Grass and flowers spring up among the ruinous masonry
of a low wall, which divides us the spectators from this
brilliant pageant. There is a rose-bush, every leaf and
AN ART-STUDENT IN MUNICH.
out between the hills. Down the grassy slopes descends
a train of gorgeously-attired horsemen and men on foot:
these are the attendants of Gaspar., Melchior, and Balthasar,
the three kings, now entering the ruin to adore the meek,
heavenly Infant. Gaspar, the eldest of the three, has a
wrinkled brow and a benign aspect. He kneels before the
Child, his aged hands folded together in quiet prayer. He
wears a long scarlet, jewel-clasped, and fur-trimmed tunic,
bound round the waist. At his knee lies his violet velvet
gold-embroidered cap of mediaeval cut. Melchior has
sunk upon one knee on entering beneath the roof,
and presents to mild old Joseph a rich crystal goblet.
Another crystal and golden goblet stands upon a
little table near to the Virgin, the offering of Gaspar.
Melchior has a noble, manly countenance and bearing;
both his face and figure are seen in profile, as he kneels
there in his gold-embroidered crimson velvet tunic, which,
parting at the side and confined round the waist by a gem-
encrusted band, displays a sleeve and hose of deep blue
velvet, and a gorgeously-wrought dagger hanging at his
side. Crisp, wavy, brown hair parts upon his forehead,
flowing backward on to the shoulders, and a pointed beard
gives a peculiar character to the whole head. The tradi-
tion is, that in Melchior, Memling has portrayed his patron
an cl military general, Charles of Burgundy. He is a
gallant gentleman of the fifteenth century; and among
such must Memling himself have fought and feasted.
Balthasar is of a still more youthful figure, and is entering
from the meadow, bearing in his hand a third rich goblet.
His costume is of violet velvet, and has a decidedly oriental
character about it.
Grass and flowers spring up among the ruinous masonry
of a low wall, which divides us the spectators from this
brilliant pageant. There is a rose-bush, every leaf and