‘Grant, O Lord, that, like the hare, I may watch for Thee in Spirit, even while my body takes its needful repose.’[360]
Giovanni di Paolo
Photo Brogi
PARADISE
(Instituto delle Belle Arti, Siena)
THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN
BY
HUBERT VAN EYKE
On the 6th of May, 1432, the great altar-piece painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyke, entitled ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,’ was erected as a finished work in the Church of S. Bavon in Ghent.
Each of its twelve panels is extremely interesting but the detail which is most important in connection with flower symbolism is the crown of the Madonna. Mary as Queen of Heaven, is seated on the right hand of God the Father, her head is slightly bowed as she reads from the book which she holds open.
Her crown is of gold, set with pearls, sapphires and rubies. Above each large square-cut ruby is placed a lily with two dark-blue columbines at its base. Above the sapphires and alternate with the lilies, are roses, each surmounted by three slender stalks of lily of the valley. A cluster of diaphanous gold stars form a sort of aureole.