Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, 1490-1500
MS M.7 fol. 54r

See more information »

Legend, Three Living and Dead -- Two skeletal corpses, one partially draped, both with hand crossed on abdomen, stand beside three youths astride horses, one with right hand raised and one turning to look at the corpses. In foreground, third corpse, with left hand raised to head, climbs from open grave. Scene in landscape with trees and distant hills.
Miniature enclosed in frame inscribed O POVRRITVRE AB HOMINABLE VIANDE A VERS CORPS TOVT INFAIT; BESTIALITE MESERABLE APRES NOVS VIEDRONS EN EFFAIT AINSI VA LA FIN DE LA MONDE.