Glossary

  • The application of thin sheets of gold or silver leaf to a surface, carried out by an illuminator. See also burnishing.
  • The Holy Spirit is believed to be the third divine person in the Trinity with God the Father and God the Son being two other distinct persons. The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a white dove descending upon Christ and other figures in Christian imagery.
  • A collection of chants or hymns sung during Mass for public, communal devotion. The name derives from the Latin word gradus meaning step as the practice of singing the verse responses on the steps of a raised pulpit.
  • A hybrid figure that combines elements from both human and animal forms. Like drolleries, these figures often bear no relation to the text.