What is in this image? Describe it as if you were explaining it to someone from the 15th century.
Imagine, if you will, a grand evergreen tree adorned for a midwinter festival. At the topmost bough, a radiant star is placed, akin to the Star of Bethlehem, which, as you may know, announced the birth of Christ. The star in the picture, however, is stylized more brightly and whimsically.Surrounding the star, the boughs of the tree are embellished with various festive ornaments. You might liken these to the relics and icons adorned around church altars, albeit far less sacred. These ornaments include representations of human faces—jolly, simple sketches designed to evoke smiles. Additionally, there are what appear to be shaped cakes or sweetmeats, some resembling an apple cut in half or perhaps a fanciful design of bread.One notable element is an image of an animal with grand antlers, reminiscent of a stag, which may remind you of the hunt or the stories of saintly encounters with beasts in the wilderness. Lower still on the tree, there are more figures wearing pointed hats—perhaps similar to those worn by jesters or maybe wise men, indicative of mirth and wisdom.Each branch of the tree also holds spheres, perhaps made of blown glass or some other material, adding to the celebratory nature of the tree, similar to how feast halls are decked with vibrant tapestries during grand celebrations.Though the style and occasion might seem foreign to your time, the essence of celebrating light and life in the darkest days of winter would be familiar, rooted in tradition and the human spirit''s unyielding pursuit of joy and festivity.