The Wall of Metals and Jewels Surrounding Angels and Saints
Simon Marmion1475
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States
In this last miniature in the manuscript, the angel brings Tondal's soul to a beautiful wall in heaven, designed to give consolation and joy to the most deserving. The wall, according to the author "shimmered as if aflame [with] crystal, jasper, chrysolite, hyacinth, sapphire, emerald, onyx, topaz, sardonyx, chrysoprase, amethyst, and garnet." Tondal's soul is so inspired by the sight that he asks the angel if he can stay forever. The angel explains that he must return to his body and bids him to heed the lessons learned from the sights he has seen.
At the conclusion of his mystical journey, Tondal's soul is reunited with his body. Awakening from his illness, Tondal promptly asks for Communion and "donate[s] all his worldly good to the poor and order[s] the sign of the Cross put upon all his garments."
- Title: The Wall of Metals and Jewels Surrounding Angels and Saints
- Creator: Simon Marmion
- Date Created: 1475
- Location Created: Valenciennes, France; Ghent, Belgium
- Physical Dimensions: Leaf: 36.3 × 26.2 cm (14 5/16 × 10 5/16 in.)
- Type: Folio
- External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
- Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment
- Terms of Use: Open Content
- Number: 87.MN.141.42.42
- Culture: Franco-Flemish
- Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. 30, fol. 42
- Creator Display Name: Simon Marmion (Flemish, active 1450 - 1489)
- Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
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