Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

Queen of Heaven, rejoice! Alleluia!
Thus begins the Easter prayer that replaces the Angelus for 50 days. Even when the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven was not expertly painted, it inspired devotion in the users of Books of Hours, such as the one from which this small image was taken:

Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

The humble Virgin is crowned Queen of Heaven, and that is just how we address her during the Easter Season as we pray morning, noon and evening: "Queen of Heaven, rejoice! Alleluia!"

The Coronation of the Virgin, early 16th century, Tempera colors on parchment
Leaf: 13.5 x 10.5 cm (5 5/16 x 4 1/8 in.)
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

Images of Mary as Queen, and of her Coronation in particular, abound in medieval books of hours and altarpieces. It is fitting to pray the Easter "Regina Coeli" in this visual context. This depiction, by Gentile da Fabriano, is particularly regal (click for more detail).

Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

Troparion: “Today is the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin as the Angel Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: ‘Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!’” 

In honor of today's  Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, shifted from its traditional date of March 25 (Good Friday this year), the Angelus Project features both an Annunciation image and (since the Regina Coeli replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season),  this season's art with images of Mary as Queen, in particular, her Coronation.

The Annunciation by Mikhail Nesterov (1901)

 

The Coronation of the Virgin by Francisco Ribalta