Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
Northern Italy, perhaps Bologna, ca. 1461-1479
MS M.95 fol. 7r

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David: communicating with God -- David, nimbed and crowned, with joined hands raised, kneels looking up toward half-figure of God (Christ-Logos), crossed nimbus, extending right hand in blessing. Harp is on ground next to David. Scene is in landscape with trees, rocky outcrops, and in background, body of water in which are boats. Initial A, decorated with floreate ornament, on gold ground, enclosing bust of saint or Christ, nimbed, possibly indicating text at right with right hand. Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by deer, rabbits, birds, dog. In lower margin two putti playing wind instruments flanking medallion enclosing escutcheon with mongram EM (?); cross surmounting escutcheon below cardinals hat. At beginning of introit for first Sunday of Advent.