Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rennes, ca. 1430
MS M.173 fol. 16r

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Miniature:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, nimbed, gesturing with right hand and holding in left hand, scroll inscribed AVE GRACIA PLENA DOM[INUM], kneels on one knee before Virgin Mary, nimbed, partially turned, sitting on bench, gesturing with left hand, holding open book on bench with right hand. Above left, bust of God, crossed nimbus, right hand in gesture of blessing, is amid red angels. Rays of gold descend from God to Virgin Mary.
Scene in church with vault, windows, altar, tile floor.
Margins:
1) Prophet, possibly Isaiah, wearing hat, long fur lined tunic, left hand holding scroll inscribed [E]CCE UIRGO CONCI[PIET] (Isaiah 7:14)
2) Two prophets, one wearing soft peaked hat, indicating miniature with right hand, and the other wearing pointed hat, holding book in draped right hand.
3) Two prophets, one holding scroll inscribed [E]GREDIETUR UIRGA DE RADI[CE] (Isaiah 11:01).
4) Female saint, nimbed, holding palm standing behind woman, probably donor, wearing butterfly headdress, with joined hands, kneeling before draped prie-dieu on which is open book.
5) David, crowned, holding harp with right hand and scepter with left hand, looking up toward miniature.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament, inhabited by butterflies and rabbits.