Visitation

This is one of the four panels in the Philadelphia museum which formed the predella to an altarpiece, of which the main panels are in the Staatliche Museen in Berlin. In the centre was the Annunciation; on the left, St Jerome; and on the right, St Lawrence.

Elizabeth, mother of St John the Baptist, greets the Virgin, who is accompanied by two young maidens wearing contemporary attire. Unlike the other figures, who have halos, the maidens have golden rays emanating from their heads. Coming out of the stone gateway is Elizabeth’s companion, who, like her mistress, is veiled and wears a wimple. A white cat or small dog stands between the two principal figures.