Trinity – Download full size image

Reproduction of the illustration of the Trinity as depicted within the Rothschild Canticles on folio 84r. This manuscript, which is extensively illustrated, draws from various texts such as the Song of Songs and Augustine’s ‘De Trinitate.’ The manuscript is fully digitized and accessible through Digital Collections of Yale’s Public Library here.

The painting was made using egg glair mixed with mineral pigments, incorporating 24 karat gold leaf for the heavenly fire and halos. Notably, the background features a checkered pattern, a departure from the typical simple gold backgrounds found in illuminations I painted before. This method of background decoration was more common in later Gothic style miniatures.

Within this image one finds a representation of the Trinity, a fundamental Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God. His nature is understood as one God existing as three divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is portrayed at the center, symbolized by the bird (representing the Holy Spirit) and two other faces (those of God and Jesus Christ).