Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 74v

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Upper register:
1) Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- At left, Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with crossed hands raised, kneels beneath canopy at prie-dieu, upon which is open book with pseudo-inscription. Above her Gabriel raises right forefinger and holds lily in left hand. Scene in room with window open onto landscape setting.
2) Virgin Mary: Coronation -- At center, Christ, rays as nimbus, sits on throne on platform and beneath canopy with curtain. He holds cross-surmounted globe in left hand and raises right hand in blessing toward Virgin Mary, veiled, above whom two angels hold crown.
Scene in room with bench decorated with foliate ornament and inscription AVE REG(INA). Above bench are six camaïeu heads of angels
3) Virgin Mary: Assumption -- At right, Mary, veiled, emitting rays, with joined hands raised, is supported in sky by four angels.
Lower register:
Virgin Mary: Death -- Six Apostles, nimbed, including Evangelist John, holding open book with pseudo-inscription, are at foot of bed. Of the six, two raise joined hands, one raises right hand and another raises left hand. Behind them, tops of nimbed heads of more Apostles are visible.
Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with hands crossed, reclines on the bed. Above her, Peter, nimbed, holds aspergil in his right hand.
Scene in room with window and decorated with curtain.
Between upper and lower registers, frame is inscribed CONVERTE NOS DEUS SALVTARIS NOSTER.