Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1470
MS M.73 fol. 7r

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Miniature: Personification, Virtues: Parliament of Heaven -- At left, Mercy and Truth as women, veiled with wimples, labelled MISERICORD and VERITE, stand facing, grasping each others hands. At right, two women kiss, Justice, wearing hat, holding sword with right hand, and Mercy, wearing hat, and holding casket with both hands. They flank Gabriel, back-turned, raising scepter with left hand, kneeling, looking up toward Trinity in arc of Heaven. Trinity -- Christ, rays as nimbus, supporting tau-cross with right hand, and open book with left hand, is seated on throne next to God, wearing triple crowned papal tiara, right hand grasping the open book, and holding cross-surmounted globe with left hand. Dove of Holy Ghost hovers between them, tips of outstretched wings touching mouths of Christ and God. Throne is flanked by angels. Lower margin: Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- In lower margin, Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneeling, at prie-dieu surmounted by lectern, looking toward book on the lectern (reading). Book also on other side of the lectern; additional books visible below. Dove of Holy Ghost descends toward Mary amid rays. At right, Gabriel, raising right hand, holds scroll inscribed ADORNA THALAMUM ET SUSCIPE REGEM. Initial: Initial D enclosing head of man wearing hat.