Psalm VI 

This is Psalm VI, an illumination by the Limbourg Brothers, made sometime around the early 15th century. Rooted in the late Gothic period, this image emerges from a time of immense social stratification, where art served the elite. The artwork presents King David kneeling in repentance, against a backdrop of both earthly and divine judgement. The regal figure is stripped of his power, his crown discarded beside him. David’s internal struggle is made visible through his subjugated posture. We see a crowd watching, their faces a mixture of judgement and pity. Simultaneously, Christ appears in the sky, symbolizing divine oversight and potential forgiveness. Illuminations like this served as both devotional aids and status symbols. Commissioned by the wealthy, they offered spiritual guidance while reinforcing the social hierarchy. By visually interpreting religious texts, the Limbourg Brothers invite contemplation on themes of power, morality, and redemption.