FRANCESCO DI GIORGIO MARTINI
(b. 1439, Siena, d. 1502, Siena)

First page of the Codex De Animalibus

1463
Illumination on parchment, 390 x 280 mm
Convento dell'Osservanza, Siena

Although the decorative scheme of the page is somewhat conventional, Francesco di Giorgio applied interesting iconographic motifs. The principal illumination symbolizes Chastity with the Unicorn, while in the three tondi on the right of the page depict the Labours of Hercules.