Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1465-1475
MS M.1055 fol. 71r

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David: communicating with God -- David, wearing robe with ermine collar and cuffs, hands extended, kneels on one knee next to hat with crown. He looks up toward half-figure of God, nimbed, raising right hand in blessing, holding cross surmounted globe with left hand, amid rays in arc of Heaven. David is in roofless room with decorated walls, one crenellated and with doorway. Harp is on table at right.
Beyond the walls is landscape with crenellated wall pierced by tower next to gateway. Before the wall, Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, with stone at forehead, bleeding, falls to ground, next to halberd. At right, youthful David, wearing hat, holding edge of tunic with left hand, swinging back right arm, holding sling. (David: slinging at Goliath)
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including daisy and rose, and inhabited by hybrid man with bird body, wearing hat, blowing horn from which flowers and foliage sprout.