Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 20r

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Miniature:
Christ: Piet³l -- Christ, bleeding from wounds, his head supported by Evangelist John, nimbed, lies on lap of Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, her right hand around His back and her left hand holding His left hand. Behind them is tau-cross with two nails in crossbar, ladder leaning on crossbar, and titulus INRI. Cross is flanked by two Holy Women, nimbed and veiled, with joined hands and by three men, wearing hats, one with hands raised, another indicating Christ. In background is castle or city.
Medallions in margins, from bottom to top:
1) Christ: Betrayal and Arrest -- Christ, cross-nimbed, touches left ear of Malchus, holding lantern in right hand and mace (?) in left hand, kneeling on one knee, as Judas embraces Him. Behind them are soldiers wearing wearing helmets and armor and carring spears. Trees in background.
2) Christ: bearing Cross -- Christ, cross-nimbed, supports tau-ross with right arm and shoulder, and with left hand takes cloth from right hand of Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, walking behind Him, supporting cross with left hand. At right are four soldiers.
3) Christ: Crucifixion, nailed to Cross -- Christ, cross-nimbed, eyes closed, wearing short loin cloth, is nailed to cross by two (?) soldiers, one, wearing helmet, at His right hand, and the other at His feet, both raising hammers in right hands. Tunic of Christ is on ground next to cross. At His left hand are Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with joined hands, and group of onlookers.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament, including viola, dianthus, rose, and periwinkle.