Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Antiquitates Judaicae; De bello Judaico
France, Dijon, late 13th century
MS M.534 fol. 120v

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Christ: Deposition -- Within initial Q, Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, grasps with both hands, right arm of Christ, crossed nimbus, eyes shut, head inclined, left arm attached to cross. Joseph of Arimathea grasps body of Christ with draped hands. Nicodemus, wearing cap, removes nail from feet of Christ with pincers. Evangelist John, nimbed, raising right hand, holding book with left hand stands at right. Above, cross is flanked by sun, moon and clouds.
Descender of initial decorated with body of winged dragon, biting bottom of initial. Pen flourished initial.
Beginning of Book 4 Chapter 1 of Josephus, De Bello Judaico.