Single Miniature Excised from a Missal: The Crucifixion

This miniature of the Crucifixion once formed the introductory illustration to the Canon of the Mass in a liturgical missal. The miniature’s style and compositional details compare with the work of various immigrant Netherlandish painters active in France during this same period. The Netherlands was rich in artistic talent, and the willingness with which immigrant artists were accepted in France is demonstrated by an entire generation of Franco-Flemish artists. Elements in the miniature-such as the grouping of the holy women on Christ’s right who support the grieving Virgin, and the treatment of Christ on the cross-are similar to Jean de Beaumetz, court painter to Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy (1364-1404).