Abel Offering up a Lamb
from Scenes from the Old Testament

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

about 1885 Set of five roundels under the arcading of the sanctuary apse surrounded by rich decoration. From left to right: Abel offering up a lamb, the gathering of manna in the desert, Melchizedek offering the bread and wine, the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb and Abraham sacrificing Isaac. technique: painting artist: Lavers, Barraud & Westlake Church of St Mary the Virgin, Cardiff sanctuary apse The painter of the scene was either Philip Westlake, who painted the reredos, or Nathaniel Westlake, a partner of Lavers, Barraud and Westlake, the firm who were commissioned by the architect, J.D. Sedding. The five scenes are all 'types' from the Old Testament of the two principal themes of the Eucharist - sacrifice (The sacrifice of Isaac, Melchizedek bringing forth the bread and wine, Abel offering up a lamb) and communion (manna in the wilderness and the paschal lamb). The order of the images is significant. The central one, over the altar, is Melchizedek, the emphasis being on priesthood and the elements (just as in the reredos by William Goscombe John at St John the Baptist, Cardiff, where this typology is found again).  (ObjectID=3561 ImageID=3577) Original File Name=_MG_3121.jpg

Other works associated with this work

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• Abel offering (alone) - the sacrifice of Cain and Abel  [Genesis 4:4]

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales