Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 61v

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Upper vignette:
Christ: Harrowing of Hell -- Christ, rays as nimbus, wearing partially draped mantle, holds cross staff in right hand and extends left hand toward Adam, nude, standing with joined hands raised, beside Eve, nude. Behind them is top of head of third figure.
In background are rocks from which flames and half-figure of bestial devil emerge.
Scene within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Samson: slaying Lion -- Samson straddles lion and holds its jaws open with both hands. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignettes reads, SANSON TUA LE GRANT LYON QUI TANT ESTOIT ABHOMINABLE ET IESUS PAR SA PASSION A ROMPU LE POUOIR DU DYABLE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including violas, inhabited by bird and by fantastic animal, wearing collar.
Moth within decorated initial Q and snail within decorated initial P.