Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Antiphonary
Italy, Milan, ca. 1470-1495
M.684 fol. 4r

See more information »

Christ: sending out Apostles -- Christ, crossed nimbus, raising right hand, stands before and looks toward group of 12 apostles, nimbed, most only nimbus visible, the foremost, raising right hand, holding book with left hand, one back turned, raising left hand.
Figures in landscape with hills and trees in which are three birds, probably crow, goldfinch and dove. All within initial E decorated with foliate ornament on which climb four putti.
Margins:
1) Three medallions, each enclosing bust of prophet, wearing hat, holding scroll with right hand.
2) Medallion enclosing half-figure of David, crowned, playing psaltery holding plectrum in each hand.
3) Virgin Mary: Adoration of Christ Child -- Medallion enclosing nude Christ Child, nimbed, reclining on edge of garment of Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneeling, looking down at Him. Scene in garden with tree, wattle fence in background. Winged putto, playing lute, sitting atop the medallion.
4) Medallion enclosing half-figure of pope nimbed, wearing triple crowned tiara and cope with morse, raising right hand in gesture of blessing, holding cross-staff with left hand.
5) Medallion enclosing escutcheon decorated with heraldry of Carlo Pallavicino (checky gules and argent on a chief or an eagle sable) surmounted by miter with infulae, and flanked by initials C and P and by crozier and crossed keys. Medallion is flanked and supported by two angels, nimbed, on background of landscape.
6) Medallion enclosing half figure of abbot, nimbed, wearing miter, habit and cope, holding crozier or cross-staff with right hand, book with left hand.
Except for lower margin, margins decorated with border of foliate ornament on gold ground.