Something Beautiful

Medieval Italian Antiphonal

At the Brown University site, there is a very fine study of an illuminated Italian antiphonal.   You can see all eighteen leaves (36 sides) that survive from the original, but there is much else here besides.

Chateau (castle)

A 360-degree panorama of the Chateau Chenonceau in France. 

Christmas Eve 2006

I would like to offer this image as an appropriate represenatation for Christmas Eve -- Nativity, by Lorenzo Costa.  It's at the Musee des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, France.   I love its simplicity. 

Adoration 0f the Magi (Fabriano)

I'm sure you'll agree that this is quite an extraordinary bpainting --

Adoration of the Magi (detail), 1423, by Gentile da Fabriano.   

Nativity (in Antiphonary)

Nativity (from an Antiphonary)
ca. 1460, by Francesco di Giorgio Martini
Museo del Duomo
Chiusi, Italy

The Spirit of Catmas

For today, a little something different --

Christmas kitty
Climbing kitty
Santa cat
Befuddled kitty

And one more for good measure: Fed-up cat

Virgin and Child (zoom)

If you look at this painting using Zoom, you will see something quite marvelous.   Check out the crowns, the gowns, and the floor.  Look for the greyhound! --

The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor, ca. 1510, by Gerard David

Bath Abbey Church

At Bath Abbey, England -- what a beautiful church! 

Santa Maria Novella

I think you'll agree that this page on Santa Maria Novella, Florence, is pretty terrific.  It's at a site called Paradox Place. 

Annunciation in Illuminated Mss.

Here are just a few of the Annunciations from the Huntington Library illuminated manuscripts: 

Fifteenth century --

Annunciation, HM 1139, f. 13v (3 traditional elements)  (additional info) 
Annunciation, HM 1150, f. 12  (3 elements)  (info)
Annunciation, HM 1250, f. 15  (3 elements)  (info) 
Annunciation, HM 1172, f. 7 (4 elements)  (info) 
Annunciation, HM 1132, f. 14v-15  (4 elements)  (info) 
Annunciation, HM 1153, f. 15v-16  (5 elements)  (info)

Sixteenth century --

Annunciation, HM 1046, f. 17v  (3 traditional elements, plus peacock and small animals) (additional info)
Annunciation, HM 48, f. 16  (3 elements) (info) 
Annunciation, HM 1147, f. 18v-19  (3 elements)  (info)   
Annunciation, HM 1175, f. 8v  (4 elements, with cat)  (info)