Vision of Saint Germain of Paris
This panel is one of two scenes from the Legend of Saint Germain of Paris. Here Germain appears posthumously in a dream to a monk from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, exhorting the brother to maintain his faith. The figures dominate the compositions, fully commanding the dark blue ground against which they are placed. Details of the setting are minimal, lending a sense of the otherworldly to the vision, and forms are suggested by color masses, contrast of tone, and painted line. A series of concave curves and an ashen face turned away from the specter of the saint bring drama to the monk's pose.