Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Saint-Omer, between 1320 and 1329
MS M.754 fol. 1r

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Pentecost -- Dove of Holy Ghost, cross-nimbed, wings outspread, descends from clouds toward Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, wearing vair-lined mantle, with joined hands raised, flanked by twelve nimbed apostles, two with joined hands raised, including tonsured Apostle Peter, all seated.
Scene against gold decorated background, within cinquefoil arch of gabled frame with pinnacles and finial, decorated with two waterspouts of animal heads blowing horns, in initial D with interlace ornament, all within diapered panel.
Beginning of first versicle of Matins of Long Hours of the Holy Spirit.
Margins decorated with foliate stems, balls, and bottom bar of scrolling foliage.
Margin, left, inhabited by bird; male musician, wearing bicolored tunic, playing viol; hybrid man with animal legs.
Margin, lower, inhabited by hunter blowing horn, two hounds pursuing hare (Scene, Sports and Games, Hunting, Rabbit); hybrid man gesturing; hybrid bird.
Margin, right, inhabited by female donor (donee ?), wearing veiled headdress, kneeling with joined hands raised in prayer toward left, kneeling in architectural niche; above, winged hybrid man with animal legs and tail.