Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

In this illumination from the early 1400's, the Coronation of Mary is a muted affair between Mother and Son, taking place in a private alcove with only two peeking angels as witnesses.

We have been praying the Regina Coeli (with the help of images of the Coronation) throughout the Easter Season. After Pentecost (Sunday), we will resume the prayer of the Angelus morning, noon and evening, along with weekly images of the Annunciation.

Praying the Regina Coeli with Art

The elaborate border of this image seems to say that all creation wants to join our Easter prayer to Mary, the Queen of Heaven.
Unusual for depictions of the Coronation of Mary, here we see only God the Father, while where we might expect to see a dove representing the Holy Spirit, it is a flaming, six-winged Seraph that descends with the crown.

Spitz Master (French, active about 1415 - 1425)
The Coronation of the Virgin, about 1420, Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment
Leaf: 20.2 x 14.9 cm (7 15/16 x 5 7/8 in.)
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

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: