Unknown Master, The Bargello Diptych (panel), 1380s. Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence.
One of the most magical and evocative ideas conjured up by the Christmas Story is that of an extremely bright light in the darkest night, a light that travels through the night for weeks on end and guides three exotic strangers from distant lands towards an unknown and very special destination.
The real “Star” of Bethlehem did exist. But what it was exactly and when precisely it shone are questions that for two thousand years people have taken on trust. Astronomy can now recreate the night sky at any given moment historically, and we can see an intense light, when looking south from Jerusalem towards Bethlehem one November night in 7 BC – the year Jesus is thought to have been born. What we discover in this lecture aligns perfectly with the prophecies in the Old Testament and the astrological readings of the Magi who were probably not Persians or even gentiles as has always been thought.
Join Hilary Hope Guise with ARTscapades to explore how The “Star” over Bethlehem signalled a new King for Israel and for the West because of the ancient astrological meanings attached to the planets. Finally, in the annals of Christian art, the star comes down and settles on the shoulder of the Virgin Mary where it remains forever as a reminder of the cosmic magnitude of Christ’s birth.
This event will be recorded. Ticket holders will be emailed a link to view the recording afterwards which is available for one month. Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.