Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Pontifical matutinale and missal of Jean Coeur
France, Bourges, ca. 1465
G.49 fol. 2r

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Personification: Soul -- Tonsured man, with arms folded, kneels on ground. At right is nude personification of soul, tonsured, extending hands through window, through which is half-figure of Christ, rays as nimbus, extending hands and grasping hands of the soul. Scene in decorated initial S.
Top and bottom margins are decorated with floreate borders, including strawberries. In lower margin is cross-surmounted escutcheon with arms of Jean Coeur (azure, three hearts gules, on a fesse or three escallops argent), flanked by scrolls with inscription MORIR COVIE(N)T SOVE(NT) ADVIE(N)T ET NEN SOVIE(NT).