Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Gospel Book
Switzerland, Saint Gall, between 880 and 899
MS M.1 exterior, front

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, decorated crossed nimbus, beardless, in long loin cloth, is affixed with four nails to cross with feet on suppedaneum. Above titulus, inscribed HIC EST REX IUDEORUM, are personifications of sun and moon, curled into balls. Above left and right arms of the cross, four angels mourn. Below left and right arms of the cross, Virgin Mary, veiled, and Evangelist John kneel and wring hands in mourning, with two other mourning women, possibly Mary Magdalen and Mary Cleophas.
Scene part of jeweled binding perhaps meant to suggest Heavenly Jerusalem.