Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1470
MS M.1093 fol. 79r

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David: in Prayer -- David, wearing garment with ermine collar, kneels with joined hands raised in front of canopied throne adorned with two statues. Before him is harp leaning against table on which is crowned hat. Behind is brocade cloth.
Behind the cloth, angel, holding raised sword in right hand, hovers and with left hand holds battleaxe held in right arm of Goliath, wearing armor, bleeding from wound in head, falling to ground. Before Goliath stands young David, wearing hat (David: slinging at Goliath). Above, in starry arc of heaven, emanating rays, is God, nimbed, with right hand raised in blessing and holding cross-surmounted globe in left hand. Scene in landscape with trees, sheep, and city.
Margins with foliate ornament, with lozenges and rings with foliate ornament. Inhabiting right margin is peacock and hybrid man, winged, wearing hat, with fantastic face on hindquarters, holding vase in raised right hand. Enclosed in lozenge in lower margin is bird.