Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . utin the early Italian pictures his dress is arranged with akind of solemn propriety: it is that of an acolyte, white andfull, and falling in large folds over his arms, and alwaysconcealing his feet. In the German pictures, he often wearsthe priestly robe richly embroidered, and clasped in front bya jewel. His ambrosial curls fall over this cope in hyacin-thine flow. The wings are essential, and never are white, or many-coloured, eyed like the peacockstrain, or bedropped w
Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . utin the early Italian pictures his dress is arranged with akind of solemn propriety: it is that of an acolyte, white andfull, and falling in large folds over his arms, and alwaysconcealing his feet. In the German pictures, he often wearsthe priestly robe richly embroidered, and clasped in front bya jewel. His ambrosial curls fall over this cope in hyacin-thine flow. The wings are essential, and never are white, or many-coloured, eyed like the peacockstrain, or bedropped with gold. He usually bears the lily inhis hand, but not always. Sometimes it is the sceptre, theancient attribute of a herald; and this has a scroll around it,with the words Ave Maria gratia plena! The sceptre orwand is occasionally surmounted by a cross. In general, the palm is given to the angel who announcesthe death of Mary. In one or two instances only I haveseen the palm given to the angel Gabriel, as in a predella byAngelico ; for which, however, the painter had the authority THE ANNUNCIATION. 195. Albert Durer. of Dante, or Dante some authority earlier still. He says of Gabriel, That he bore the palmDown unto Mary when the Son of GodVouchsafed to clothe him in terrestrial weeds. The olive-bough has a mystical sense wherever adopted:it is the symbol of peace on earth. Often the angel bearsneither lily, nor sceptre, nor palm, nor olive. His hands arefolded on his bosom; or, with one hand stretched forth, andthe other pointing upwards, he declares his mission from onhigh. In the old Greek pictures, and in the most ancient Italianexamples, the angel stands; as in this sketch after Cimabue(96.), wherein the Greek model is very exactly to the Roman Catholic belief, Mary is Queen ofheaven, and of angels — the superior being; consequently,there is propriety in making the angel deliver his message c c 2 196 LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectmaryblessedvirginsaint
