David (?) Praying Before an Altar
ca. 1440
The Netherlands, Utrecht
MS M.917/945, pp. 56–57
Purchased on the Belle da Costa Greene Fund with the assistance of the Fellows, 1963
Catalog link
Understanding, the second gift of the Holy Spirit, is illustrated by a man, most probably meant to be King David, who kneels before a significantly empty altar. His scroll paraphrases Psalm 118, verse 34: "Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments." The Dove of the Holy Spirit answers his petition positively, "I shall give you understanding."