The Annunciation to the Virgin, miniature on a leaf probably from a Psalter [southern Germany, early 14th century]

single leaf, 97x80mm, vellum, with a miniature, sewing-holes in the upper margin suggest the use of a curtain for protection, reverse blank, some loss to gold leaf, overall in good condition

Although simple in execution, this miniature shows a confident draftsman: the quick outlines of the figures are coloured in with the primary colours red and blue; faces and textures are indicated by the use of a few dynamic lines in black and white. The rich appearance is mainly achieved through the contrast with precious gold leaf for the background. The size and the subject of this miniature suggest that it opened a Psalter that started with a prefatory cycle of the lives of the Virgin and Christ; the offset of another red border shows that it once faced another full-page miniature.