Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Belgium, Liège, 1261
MS M.440 fol. 8v

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1) Christ: Nativity -- Beneath curtain draped to side, Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, reclines, with her head averted and supported by her upright right hand, on pillow and draped bed before Christ Child, cross-nimbed, swaddled, looking toward her, in architectural manger on two columns in front of ass and ox (only heads visible), and beside Joseph the Carpenter, wearing conical hat, leaning on tau-staff held with both hands, seated on bench on colum base (column-bench).
2) Magi: Adoration -- Among three Magi, two, crowned, stand and hold ciboria; the beardless youngest magus extends left hand; the middle-aged magus points with left hand toward Star of Bethlehem; and the eldest magus kneels with crown on right knee, raising vessel of coins (money) to left hand of Christ Child, cross-nimbed, raising right hand, seated on lap of Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, crowned, seated on bench.
Gold backgrounds with decorated frames.
Miniature on verso facing French Walloon poem on recto (Sinclair, no. II)