Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1465-1475
MS M.1055 fol. 87v

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Scene, Liturgical: Burial -- In foreground one of two grave diggers, wearing headdress, holds shoulders of body sewn into shroud. The second grave digger, holding feet of the body, looking back at first, kneels next to grave. Dirt, bones, skull, shovel (spade), mattock, and empty coffin are next to the grave. Behind them, three clerics, tonsured, mouths open, two wearing copes, stand close together, the foremost two holding open book. They stand below arched entry of building surmounted by statue.
Behind grave diggers is graveslab with pseudo-inscription, and grave marker. Above, angels hold nude soul, with joined hands. Below them, black devils amid flames reach up, some touching feet and legs of the soul. (Death, Scene: Struggle for Soul)
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament and inhabited by hybrid monkey holding shield at right side and whirligig under left arm, astride rearing white horse.