Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum

Illuminated miniature of the Annunciation

      Florence: c.1470-1480. 127 c 187 mm, verso blank. Framed. This glorious leaf is unmistakably in the style of Francesco di Antonio del Chierico, one of the finest Florentine illuminators of the period. Garzelli reproduces several miniatures of the Annunciation and one miniature in particular, (now in Modena, Bib. Estense, cod. lat 855f, 13v, see fig. 212 in GarzoniOs catalogue) shows several close parallels with this leaf. The style and attitude of the Virgin is especially close, as is the treatment of the window. Also, in the border, there are similarities in the figure of God the father, the urns supported by putti, and the floral motifs. Another artist, Francesco Rosselli, has also been noticed as have stylistic similarities to the central figure in this leaf in his Annunciation in Bib. Vat, barb. Lat 382, f. 15v (see Garzoni ff.536.) The arms of the Cresci family are in the lower border. See Annarosa Garzelli, Miniature Fiorentina del Rinascimento 1440-1525, Florence 1985. Cataloguing derived from the Maggs Bros. description. Full description and images available on my website.