Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1480
MS M.136 fol. 41r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, with right hand raised and with left hand on open book with pseudo-inscription on draped prie-dieu, kneels beneath canopy. Before her, Archangel Gabriel, holding scepter in right hand, kneels on one knee, with scroll inscribed AVE GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM. Dove of Holy Ghost descends toward the Virgin Mary on rays from God, as half-figure in arc of heaven at top right. Miniature framed by columns, with arch with two pendants with corbels supporting two statues of soldiers fighting with swords and shields.
Margins with foliate and vinescroll ornament, inhabited by two angel musicians, one playing lute and the other playing horn.