Psalter No. 13 (15th century)
Girolamo da Cremona, Venturino da Milano
Piccolomini Library, Duomo Cathedral, Siena, Italy
Illuminated manuscript
approximately 36 square in
This particular manuscript page contains a depiction of the Annunciation. Vivid colors adorn the border of this image, while the colors in the picture, such as the pink of the angel's wings and Mary's gown, are complementary. As in many other depictions of the Annunciation, God the Father can be seen at the top left corner. In this particular image, a dove, which represents the Holy Spirit, seems to be floating down to Earth on the breath of God. The figures of Mary and the angel Gabriel embody the more realistic Renaissance style of depicting the human figure. Mary is leaning to the left, and her dress falls in such a way to give her a figure, rather than a flat, dimensionless body. Gabriel has clear legs and an arm that appears to have real bones and flesh beneath his simple garments. Unlike the Tisi painting of the Annunciation, in which the angel wears garments adorned with gold trimmings, in this depiction Gabriel is dressed in a simple white garment. As he bows to Mary, he offers her a lilly. Lilies symbolize purity and chastity, which is appropriate given that Mary was a virgin mother. Mary is depicted here with a golden halo around her head. The halo was a typical medieval device; it usually indicated sainthood or holiness.
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