Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, probably Paris, ca. 1490
MS M.1080 fol. 73r

See more information »

Innocents: Massacre -- Herod, wearing hat with crown, seated on throne with canopy, swings sword across his body with right hand. He looks toward man wearing hood standing next to him. Soldier holding halberd with left hand stands at left. In foreground, soldier, holding sword with right hand, extends left hand toward woman, wearing turban like headdress, crouching, holding swaddled infant. Another woman, wearing hat with plume holds another swaddled infant to her breast. Two bleeding swaddled infants recline on floor.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament. All enclosed in architectural frame. At base of right column, two nude figures embrace.