Another Giotto Madonna…

This is from his earlier work, still in the fashion of the Byzantine style but about to break free. Maybe this is why I am so drawn to Giotto. His artwork is all about giving the divine a human expression.

Tomás Luis de Victoria, O Regem coeli

O Regem coeli, cui talia famulantur obsequia.
Stabulo proponitur qui continet mundum:
Iacet in praesepio, et in caelis regnat.
Alleluia.

∞

O King of heaven, served with such obedience!
He is laid in the stable who holds the world:
He lies in the manger and reigns in heaven. Alleluia.
Today is born a saviour.
who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David:
He lies in the manger and reigns in heaven. Alleluia.

Last year I have posted another version of this simple, beautiful motete. Tomas Luis de Victoria was a contemporary of Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross.