Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1440
MS M.157 fol. 14r

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Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos -- Evangelist John, nimbed, seated on island, writes on scroll draped over left knee, beside his symbol (eagle), nimbed, with ink jar hanging from beak. Devil descends from sky with claws reaching to grasp the ink jar. In background is landscape with city in distance.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including thistles, cornflowers, columbines, and oak leaves with acorns, inhabited by finches, peacocks, moth, and half-figure of nimbed angel emerging from flower.