Hunt of the Unicorn Annunciation (ca. 1500) from a Netherlandish Book of Hours Credit: Joseph Zahavi/Morgan Library
Netherlandish Artist, c. 1500
Medieval artwork often depicted the Annunciation with Mary seated in an enclosed garden, a unicorn leaping into her lap. The Angel Garbriel blows a hunting horn and is accompanined by hounds. The Virgin Mary has long been associated with the "enclosed garden" of the Song of Songs (4:12). The hounds chase the unicorn into the lap of the Virgin. Ancient myths about unicorns claimed that only a virgin could tame them. This depiction was popular in the fifteenth century and fell out of use after the Council of Trent.
Doctrine: Blessed Virgin Mary - Annunciation, Liturgical Year - March 25
No comments:
Post a Comment