Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, probably Paris, ca. 1490
MS M.1080 fol. 13r

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Miniature:
Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos -- John, nimbed, raising pen with right hand, left hand resting on open book on his lap, is seated. Behind him devil, horned, holds inkpot and pen case with right hand, and raises left hand. Before John, evangelist symbol, eagle, holds inkpot in beak; pen case (?) is at its feet.
Scene on island with trees; in distance, across water, hills with buildings.
Miniature within architectural frame decorated with foliate and architectural ornament, with hybrid or animal mask, and statue of man wearing hood standing in niche with canopy.
Lower margin:
1) Evangelist, John: boiled in Oil -- At left, two men wearing hats, one holding sword, flank barrel in which stands nude John, nimbed with joined hands raised.
2) Evangelist, John: Conversion of Aristodemus, John requested to drink Poison -- John, nimbed, raises right hand in blessing over cup containing serpents. He looks toward Aristodemus, wearing hat, seated, holding scepter with left hand, extending left hand. Behind John stands man holding rod or staff. At feet of John is body of man.