New Drawing: Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

I drew this in red and black ink on a 9" x 12" piece of calfskin vellum. The overall decorative framework is that of a Hortus Conclusus representing Our Lady, with a small scene of the Unicorn Hunt as an Allegory of the Incarnation at the bottom. The drawings of the Joyful Mysteries in the quatrefoils are based on 14th & 15th century works of art: illuminated manuscripts by the Boucicault Master and the Limbourg Brothers, and panel paintings by Absolon Stumme, Johann Koerbecke and Jacquelin de Montluçon.

In the small roundels are depicted Mary's gift of the Rosary to St. Dominic; the Tree of Life and Death; the name Maria, and the Virgin of the Apocalypse.



This drawing is part of a set including the drawing of the Glorious Mysteries that I finished a few months ago. A third drawing of the Sorrowful Mysteries is in progress.

More of my work can be seen on my website.