Ascension in an Initial V
Niccolò di ser Sozzo Italian
Not on view
This initial illustrates the antiphon for the Feast of the Ascension: Viri [ga]lile [i quid aspicitis in caelum?] ("Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?").
Inside the initial V, painted with a luminous gold ground, the Virgin is flanked by Saint Peter (left) and an unidentified apostle (right) who gaze toward the half-length figure of the blessing Christ. This miniature is a typical example of the production of the painter and illuminator Niccolò di Ser Sozzo. The author of a large body of manuscript illuminations in addition to several panel paintings, this artist was the leading miniaturist of Siena in the mid-fourteenth century.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
