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T"oros Roslin
Armenian, Hromklay, 1256
Tempera colors, gold paint, and ink on parchment
10 7/16 x 7 1/2 in.
MS. 59, FOL. 1V

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Two elegant birds with their wings spread seem to have just caught the fish wriggling in their mouths. They stand atop a canon table that assembles passages from all four Gospels recounting the same event. Although the lively birds, elaborate decorative panels, candlesticks, trees, and figure-topped columns do not relate to the subject matter of the Gospels, they provide a welcome diversion for the eye in what would otherwise be an undifferentiated page full of information.