Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Netherlands, ca. 1520
MS M.74 fol. 1v

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Christ: Last Judgment -- Christ, partially draped in mantle, with bleeding wounds in hand, side, and feet, sits on arc of rainbow with feet on tripartite globe, also on arc of rainbow. Flanking His head are lily and sword, and at either end of the arcs kneel Virgin Mary and John Baptist, both nimbed, the Virgin with right hand grasping bared breast; all in mandorla. Flanked by busts of angels blowing trumpets. On ground below Christ, at left is cross-surmounted and turreted gate of paradise, at doorway, angel and Apostle Peter, and nude man (soul) partly visible. To right is Hell, with winged and horned demons carrying nude souls, and other souls already amid flames and rocks. In foreground, man, wearing fur-trimmed garment and woman, wearing black veil with wimple, facing each other, kneeling with joined hands raised beside prie-dieu on which is open book with pseudo-inscriptions. Behind the man is Evangelist John, nimbed, with left hand holding chalice and behind the woman, is Ursula of Cologne, nimbed, crowned, wearing patterned garment, holding three arrows. In far distance, three nude souls emerging from graves and city buildings. Miniature facing prayer the Libera me.