DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45257#0282
176
LES TRES RICHES HE URES
producing a marvellous colour-effect of gold, blue
and green.
Although this composition is otherwise entirely
symbolical, a body of French soldiers clad in
armour of that period, with long staves, are intro-
duced striking down the angels as they fall from
above. This wonderful little design, although not
more than 10 inches wide, is so full of action that
it has been compared to the Signorelli frescoes at
Orvieto ; and this not without reason, for these
miniaturists have, even on so tiny a scale, produced
very much the same forcible effect.
In direct contrast to this awe-inspiring compo-
sition is The Coronation of the Virgin? shown here
with a fine combination of grandeur and elegance in
style. Our Lady’s mantle is rainbow-hued and her
dress of pure white is powdered with golden fleur-
de-lys. Angels bearing her crown descend from
above, whilst Our Lord Himself raises His hands
in blessing. On the right are the Apostles and a
group of female Saints, one of whom is said to
be a portrait of Oursine herself. On the left
is a bishop attended by monks. This miniature
seems to be a prototype of a painting by Enguer-
rand Charonton, executed about half a century later
and now at Villeneuve les Avignon.
The Temptation of Our Lord deserves some-
what special attention. The scene is represented
as taking place upon a conventional mountain-top ;
and Satan is pointing to a castle with three towers :
1 See Plate XXXIX.
LES TRES RICHES HE URES
producing a marvellous colour-effect of gold, blue
and green.
Although this composition is otherwise entirely
symbolical, a body of French soldiers clad in
armour of that period, with long staves, are intro-
duced striking down the angels as they fall from
above. This wonderful little design, although not
more than 10 inches wide, is so full of action that
it has been compared to the Signorelli frescoes at
Orvieto ; and this not without reason, for these
miniaturists have, even on so tiny a scale, produced
very much the same forcible effect.
In direct contrast to this awe-inspiring compo-
sition is The Coronation of the Virgin? shown here
with a fine combination of grandeur and elegance in
style. Our Lady’s mantle is rainbow-hued and her
dress of pure white is powdered with golden fleur-
de-lys. Angels bearing her crown descend from
above, whilst Our Lord Himself raises His hands
in blessing. On the right are the Apostles and a
group of female Saints, one of whom is said to
be a portrait of Oursine herself. On the left
is a bishop attended by monks. This miniature
seems to be a prototype of a painting by Enguer-
rand Charonton, executed about half a century later
and now at Villeneuve les Avignon.
The Temptation of Our Lord deserves some-
what special attention. The scene is represented
as taking place upon a conventional mountain-top ;
and Satan is pointing to a castle with three towers :
1 See Plate XXXIX.