Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, 1430-1435
MS M.359 fol. 61v

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Christ: Flight into Egypt -- Virgin Mary, with rayed nimbus, veiled, seated sideways on ass, cradles in her arms partially draped Christ Child, with crossed nimbus, with His arms around her neck. Leading the ass by the reins is Joseph, wearing hood, with bundle on staff carried on his right shoulder, turning to look at the Virgin and Child. Scene in landscape with hills, trees, sky, distant city, and windmill.
Margins with ivy-rinceaux, foliate, and vinescroll ornament, with four medallions in corners:
1) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Simon the Pharisee, wearing pointed hat, standing in doorway of house, extends right hand to left hand of Christ, with crossed nimbus, accompanied by nimbed Apostles, including Peter, holding key, and Andrew, holding saltire cross. Background with tree and sky.
2) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Peter, nimbed, holding key, stands behind Christ, with crossed nimbus, raising right hand in blessing to woman, kneeling with joined hands raised. Tree and diaper pattern in background.
3) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Christ, with crossed nimbus, sits at draped table with knives, plates, and loaves. Flanking him are four nimbed Apostles and Simon the Pharisee, wearing pointed hat. Before the table kneels woman, possibly with hands on feet of Christ. Diapered background.
4) Christ: Parable, Sower -- Sower, wearing cap, sows seeds from sack worn around his torso. Some of the seed lands in furrows, other lands amid rocks, where there is a man, wearing hat, and some lands amid trees (thorns), where there is another man. Sky in background.