Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, possibly Ghent, ca. 1480-1490
M.278 fol. 67v

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, arms crossed on breast, kneels, nude Christ Child, nimbed, reclining amid rays on edge of her mantle. Joseph the Carpenter, holding candle with right hand, shielding flame with left hand, kneels opposite Mary. Ox and ass are between them.
Scene in partially ruined building; rays descending from star through hole in thatched roof; man looking on, lifting hat next to broken wall; another man, left hand to head visible in arched window at left. Through arch in background, apse of building visible.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament including dianthus, white vine scroll, and strawberry, and inhabited by hybrid man.