Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Brussels, ca. 1540
MS M.696 fol. 56r

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Emperor Charles V, wearing imperial crown, mantle with imperial arms and ermine lining, and armor, kneels with joined hands raised before draped prie-dieu with open book with pseudo-inscription. On the floor are gauntlets and plumed helmet. Canopy behind him. Beside him stands guardian angel, nimbed. Scene in room with leaded glass window, beyond which is scene, possibly of figure kneeling before man seated astride horse.
Text and miniature enclosed in classicizing architectural frame, with putti and dolphins at top, and at bottom, lions flanking escutcheon with imperial arms, encircled by Collar of the Golden Fleece..