Vergilius Romanus

The human form becomes abstracted and flattened and the naturalistic depiction of space is abandoned.

The cows and goats looking out from behind the trees are an attempt, albeit an unsuccessful one, at creating the appearance of space.

The garments of the two men are draped naturally and the heads are shown in three quarter view.

The second artist demonstrates a more radical break from the classical tradition in the remaining miniatures.

Faces are no longer portrayed in three quarter position but are either frontal or full profile.

The clothing no longer drapes naturally but is instead reduced to rhythmic curving lines.

The effect is remarkably similar to some Roman floor mosaics, which may have served as inspiration (see folios 44 verso and 45 recto.

The portraits show Vergil sitting on a chair between a lectern and a locked chest.

Based on the style of some aspects of the illumination Martin Henig has suggested that it was produced in Britain.