Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 52v

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Upper vignette:
Christ: before Pilate and Pilate: washing Hands -- Christ, rays as nimbus, with his hands bound, stands before Pilate, wearing hat, sitting on canopied throne and washing hands with basin and pitcher held by youth. Soldiers, wearing armor, in background (only tops of heads of all but one visible). Scene in room, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Absalom: advised by Ahithophel -- Absalom (?), wearing armor, left hand on hilt of sword at waist, extends right forefinger toward Ahithophel, raising right hand and extending left hand. Behind Absalom, tops of heads and armored legs of 3 (?) soldiers visible. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignettes reads, VOY CY CO(M)MENT ACHITOFEL S'EXCUSE DE LA MORT DE VUE AUSSI FAIT PILATE LE FEL DU IUGEME(N)T DE VRAY MESSIE
Margins decorated with floreate border, including daisies, and thistles, inhabited by bird.