Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Netherlands, Delft, 1460-1520
MS M.71 fol. 12v

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Miniature in eight compartments (clockwise from top left):
1) Christ: among Doctors -- Christ, as youth, with rays as nimbus, sits surrounded by Virgin Mary, nimbed, viled, and three doctors, wearing hats. Scene in interior of temple.
2) Christ: bearing Cross -- Christ, crowned with thorns, with rays as nimbus, carries Tau cross in left shoulder. Evangelist John and Virgin Mary, both nimbed, and two men wearing hats are beside Him.
3) Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, wearing crown of thorns and short loincloth, with rays as nimbus, is affixed to cross with three nails. Flanking the cross are Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with arms crossed on her breast; and Evangelist John, nimbed, with right hand raised to his head.
4) Christ: Pietà -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, holds in her lap body of Christ, wearing short loin cloth. Around her are Evangelist John and two Holy Women (one possibly Mary Magdalen), all nimbed. Stem of cross in background.
5) Virgin Mary: Lamentation (?) or Christ: Entombment (?) -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, holds in her lap body of Christ, with rays as nimbus, wearing short loin cloth and partially draped in shroud. Beside her are Evangelist John, nimbed, and two men at head and feet of Christ. Mary Magdalen (?), wearing headdress, kneels beside the body of Christ, with joined hands.
6) Virgin Mary, with rays as nimbus, veiled, sits with sword piercing (?) her breast (Mater Dolorosa). Canopy above supported by two angels.
7) Christ: Presentation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, stands beside Simeon of Jerusalem, tonsured, holding swaddled infant Christ Child. Behind him is altar with doves and retable. Two figures stands beside the altar.
8) Christ: Flight into Egypt -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, holding swaddled infant Christ Child, with rays as nimbus, sits sideways on ass led by Joseph the Carpenter. Scene in landscape with trees.
Margins with scattered flowers, including roses, daisies, and violas, inhabited by flies, butterflies, and snail.