Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 31r

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Miniature:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, rayed nimbus, left hand raised, is kneeling at draped prie-dieu on which is open book. Dove of Holy Ghost hovers near right side of her head. She is turning back toward Angel Gabriel, head surmounted by cross, extending scroll (?) with pseudo-inscription, held in right hand, and raising left hand. Behind them is canopied bed with mirror hanging at head of bed. Through window in background is landscape with river and boats; in window above is half figure of God, nimbed, raising right hand in blessing and in left hand, holding globe inscribed with T and surmounted by cross.
Miniature in arched architectural frame, flanked at top by two angels.
Medallions in margins, top to bottom:
1) Virgin Mary: Presentation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, book under right arm, rosary (?) over right arm, taper in left hand, ascends steps of temple toward draped altar on which is candle (?), behind which is priest, tonsured, wearing vestments, standing beneath canopy. Anna, nimbed, and Joachim, wearing hat, stand to left of staircase.
2) Virgin Mary: Life in Temple, fed by Angel -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, holding beater (?) in right hand and object in left hand, is seated at loom under canopy. Angel, head surmounted by cross, extends bread (?) and pitcher toward Virgin Mary. On floor between them is box or basket containing two round objects. Scene in windowed room with tile floor.
3) Virgin Mary: Espousal -- High Priest, nimbed, wearing triple crowned papal tiara with infulae (?), and vestments, is flanked by Virgin Mary, nimbed, both hands extended holding right hand of Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, wearing hood, holding branch in right hand. Behind them are woman, wearing hat and two men, one wearing hat. Flanking medallion are donors, man, with joined hands, kneeling at prie-dieu on which is open book, and woman, wearing headdress, with hands joined, kneeling at draped prie-dieu on which is open book.
Margins decorated with birds and floreate ornament, including viola and strawberry.