 The dove of the Holy Spirit hovers inside a rainbow @-@ hued circle of light directly above the Virgin 's head . Its placement and size is unusual for art of the period . It is unlike anything found in van der Weyden , and never repeated in Memling 's work , but reminiscent of van Eyck 's dove in the Ghent Altarpiece 's Annunciation panel . Its shape is found in medallions hung above beds at that time , and thus seems in keeping with the domestic interior . 
