The Little Garden of Paradise, ca. 1410 – 1420

About the Work

In unparalleled manner, the courtly charm of the Late Gothic, so-called Soft Style unites in this work with the realistic observation of nature: twenty-four plant and twelve bird species are precisely identifiable. The artist was evidently also quite knowledgeable about the behaviour of animals. The theme is a gathering in paradise attended by the Virgin and Child and a number of saints. Elements of the sacred ‘hortus conclusus’ (‘closed garden’) – an allusion to Mary’s virginity – are skilfully combined with motifs from secular castle and love gardens.