Melchisedech Blessing Abraham

Opaque glass mosaic, designed by William Blake Richmond, executed by Messrs Powell of Whitefriars, completed by 1896



Melchisedech, priest and king of Salem (later Jerusalem) blessed Abraham upon return from battle and brings bread to feed the troops. According to some Christian traditions, Melchisedech was a son of Noah, which would link this mosaic and its counterpart on the south side of the apse.



There is a rich artistic tradition of depicting this scene through the ages. This theme occurs already in early Christian mosaic cycles, since the offering of bread can be seen as a typology to the Eucharist. While most representations of the subject-matter give equal importance to Abraham and Melchisedech, at St Paul’s Cathedral the blessing priest Melchisedech, in his white tunic, is the key figure of the scene. This emphasis on the priesthood might point towards the figure of Christ, “after the order of Melchisedech (Psalm 110:4), depicted at the centre of the apse (mosaic no. 8466).



Brief description: rectangular mosaic depicting the blessing at the centre with Melchisedech in a white rob and red cap standing above the kneeling figure of Abraham in armour resting his hands on his sword, to the left of Melchisedech a group of five women with offerings, to the right of Abraham three soldiers with lances, the soldier nearest Abraham resting his left on his sword, further lances behind them, in the background the walls of a city against the golden sky; surrounded by a mosaic frame with a band of fruits, sheaves of wheat and vegetables against a dark blue background.



Related quotes:

Hebrews 7:1: “For this Melchiz’edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything.” (NRSV)



Browne 1896, pp. 8-9: “The lower panels lend themselves better to groups or figures. The subjects are, south, The Sacrifice offered by Noah ... and north, the Blessing of Abram by Melchizedek. [...] The borders of these panels are very rich, representing the fruits of the earth. It will be seen that they are in character with the beautiful wood-carvings of Gibbons on the frieze above the Choir stalls, and with the stone sculptures in relief in many parts of the Church. A very beautiful translucent effect is given by the robe of Melchizedek. This effect is best seen from the middle part of the step in front of the rails which mark off the chapel in the apse, behind the reredos. It may be noticed that viewed from this point the cap of Melchizedek is all red, whereas when viewed from the sanctuary, near the sedilia, it is in considerable part gold.”



Related work elsewhere: Melchisedech and Abel, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Melchisedech and Abel, mosaic, San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, 6th century; Melchisedech meets Abraham, San Mark’s Basilica, Venice, 13th century



Literature and references: Browne 1896, 8-9; Brown 1881, 442-444 ( Lowden); Zech 2015, back flap.