Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 58v

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Upper vignette:
Crucifixion, One Cross, with Virgin Mary and Evangelist John -- Christ, rays as nimbus, wearing crown of thorns, eyes closed, in loin cloth, is affixed with three nails to cross surmounted by titulus inscribed INRI. Blood flows from wounds in his hands, feet, and side.
At left is Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with her clasped hands raised to her breast, beside Evangelist John, nimbed. At right is man, possibly Longinus of Jerusalem, wearing hat, with crossed hands on top of walking stick.
Behind them are group of soldiers, wearing helmets and holding spears (only tops of heads of all but one visible).
In sky, sun and moon flank cross.
Lower vignette:
Moses: Serpent of Brass -- Horned Moses, holds rod in right hand and extends left hand toward serpent, wrapped around pole. Behind Moses are three men, one wearing hat, only tops of heads of other two visible. Scene in landscape setting.
Caption between vignettes reads, AINSI QUE LE SERPENT D'ARAM EST A LA POTE(N)CE PENDU IH(ES)U(S) CRIST LE ROY SOUUERAM PO(UR) NO(US) EN TROIS FUT ESTENDU.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including cornflowers, daisies, and grapevines, inhabited by fly and monkey, holding walking stick in both hands, with a basket with two infant monkeys on his back.