Page of Well of Moses: Prophets David and Jeremiah by SLUTER, Claus in the Web Gallery of Art, a searchable image collection and database of European paintings and sculptures (1100-1850)

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Well of Moses: Prophets David and Jeremiah

1395-1406
Stone, height 179 cm
Muse Archologique, Dijon

Moses, David, Jeremiah, Zechariah Daniel and Isaiah stand before small niches of the fountain hexagonal base. Each prophets are identified by inscriptions and appropriate attributes. Six grieving angels hover above the prophets. Old Testament prophets appeared frequently in contemporary art to indicate the fulfilment of their prophecies of the coming of Christ. Sluter, however, invented a wholly novel composition. His prophets are life-size and placed near the eye level of the viewer, who must walk around the ensemble to see all the figures.

Sluter's remarkable statues show angels and prophets varied in their poses. The attention to details signals Sluter's effort to make his statues as believable as possible. Their life-like quality was enhanced further by the polychromy applied by Jean Malouel and Herman of Cologne in 1402.