Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Pontifical matutinale and missal of Jean Coeur
France, Bourges, ca. 1465
G.49 fol. 61v

See more information »

Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneeling with joined hands raised, looks down upon nude Christ Child, rays as nimbus, reclining on her drapery. At right is Joseph the carpenter, wearing hood, kneeling on one knee, with hands raised. Behind them are ox and ass. Scene beneath roof of shed, from which descend rays, and within decorated initial P.
Top and bottom margins are decorated with floreate borders, including roses. In lower margin is cross-surmounted escutcheon with arms of Jean Coeur (azure, three hearts gules, on a fesse or three escallops argent), surmounted by scroll with inscription MORIR COV(IENT) SOVENT ADVIE(NT ET) NEN SOV(IENT).