Painting the flesh
Artists' Techniques
Three of the main artists (Hands A, B and C) modelled flesh tones on a lead white base (e.g. fols. VIr, 42r, 191v). Hand B, and occasionally Hand C, added a touch of red on the cheeks (e.g. fols. 42r, 177v). Facial features and hair were outlined with fluid carbon black lines.
Hand D used a pink colour instead for the base layer in flesh tones (e.g. fol. 220r). He rendered facial features and other anatomical details in a sophisticated way, with brown shadows and white highlights yielding a more realistic effect.
Crucifixion (suffrage to the Cross)
The Virgin and St John mourn the crucified Christ. The clouds partially concealing the sun and moon refer to the darkness that descended on earth in the hour of Christ’s death. The historiated initial was painted by Hand C.