The Four Gospels

A full-page Byzantine-style illumination of the Baptism of Christ, known as the Theophany. In the center, a nude Jesus Christ stands in the Jordan River. To the left, John the Baptist stands on a rocky shore, reaching out his hand to touch Christ's head. To the right, four angels with bowed heads and covered hands stand on the opposite rocky bank. Above Christ, a blue segment of heaven opens, sending down a ray of light containing a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. At the bottom left, a small personified figure of the River Jordan sits in the water. The background is gold leaf, and the entire scene is enclosed in a red decorative border. There is some flaking of the gold leaf and paint, particularly on the right side.

The Baptism

Jesus Christ