Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 66r

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Upper register:
Christ: Presentation -- Simeon, wearing miter, stands on platform within open gate of railing and extends drapped hands to support nude Christ-Child, rays as nimbus, also supported by kneeling Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled. Beside her stands Prophetess Anna, wearing hat, holding candle in right hand and basket with two doves in left hand.
Beside Simeon, man, wearing hat, stands on platform behind railing and raises left forefinger. Beside him are three men, wearing hats.
In background are four figures, one is veiled woman; another is man, wearing hat; only tops of heads of other two are visible.
At right, man stands on steps and raises right forefinger.
In background is Ark of Covenant or reliquary, between two curtains and above draped altar (?).
From shelf on wall fall two idols, wearing crowns and holding spears.
Scene in room with two windows, one open onto landscape setting, with buildings in distance.
Lower register:
1) At left, Jeremiah (head and shoulders only), wearing hat, holds with both hands scroll that reads, JEREMIE PROPHET(A).
2) At center, David (head and shoulders only), wearing crown, raises left forefinger and with right hand holds scroll that reads, DAVID R(EX).
2) At right, Amos (head and shoulders only), wearing hat, raises right forefinger and with left hand holds scroll that reads, AMO(S). Above him is inscription OMNIA PROPHE(TAE)
Miniatures are within architectural frame, with three statues of nude male figures within niches of left margin and one statue of nude male figure within niche of lower right margin. Half figures of two angels, with joined hands raised, appear above arch over upper miniature. Between upper and lower registers, frame is inscribed IHS. MARIA.
Fantastic animal within decorated initial D.