Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1460
MS M.282 fol. 77r

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Christ: Flight into Egypt -- Joseph the Carpenter, wearing cap, holding crutch and prayer beads (?) in right hand, raises left hand turns toward Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, seated sideways on ass, holding partially draped infant Christ Child, nimbed. Behind the ass walks female servant, wearing headdress, holding walking stick in right hand and towel and cask in left hand. Scene in landscape with trees, crags, river, hills, and distant cities. Rays emanate from top of arch.
Margins with floreate and scroll ornament, inhabited in right margin by man, wearing pointed hat, with sword and shield, battling (?) fantastic animal upon which he sits; in lower margin, monkey, wearing clothes and holding rock and shield, sits backwards astride pig.