Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1420
MS M.1000 fol. 19r

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Inside room, Evangelist Mark, decorated nimbus, seated in draped chair under opened window, cuts stylus held in right hand. He is writing his Gospel on scroll placed on lapdesk attached to chair, against which leans book with two clasps and bosses. Part of the scroll hanging over lapdesk is inscribed S. MARCUM and has the beginning of his gospel, starting with IN ILLO TEMPORE RECUMBENTIBUS ... (Mark 16:14), written upside-down. Winged lion, seated at feet of Evangelist Mark, holds end of scroll in its mouth.
Opposite Evangelist Mark, beyond arched window, head of God, decorated crossed nimbus, bearded, appears in arc of heaven formed by cherubim, from which rays of light emanate. Lily vase and book with two clasps are on window sill.
Miniature and text framed by decorative border of foliate design.