Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Saint-Omer, between 1320 and 1329
MS M.754 fol. 51r

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Christ: Washing of Feet -- Nimbed apostle with raised left forefinger pointing, behind Christ, cross-nimbed, kneeling, extending hands before Apostle Peter (not tonsured) with right hand raised toward his head and with book in left hand, raising right foot above basin, seated beside two nimbed apostles; head of animal in hole of ground.
Scene against gold diapered background, beneath double trefoil arches with pinnacles, in initial C with foliate ascender, within diapered panel.
Beginning of first versicle of Compline of Hours of the Holy Sacrament.
Margins decorated with foliate stems, balls, and bottom bar of scrolling foliage.
Margin, lower, inhabited by peacock, hybrid man, and leaping dog; below, hybrid man and hybrid animal, each blowing trumpet (Scene, Burlesque: playing Musical Instrument); to right, hybrid snail.
Margin, right, inhabited by female donor (donee ?), wearing veiled headdress, kneeling, with joined hands raised, and pet dog, both atop foliate stem; above, nude man exposing hindquarters, on crossbow with arrow pointing down.