Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 87r

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Upper vignette:
Tamar, Daughter of David: mourning and Absalom: comforting Tamar (II Samuel 03:19-20) -- Tamar, wearing headdress and torn garment, raises her hands to her head. Beside her is Absalom, wearing hat, extending right hand and holding hilt of sword at waist with left hand. Scene in landscape setting.
Lower vignette:
Amnon: death (II Samuel 03:29) -- Amnon, wearing hat, resting his head in his right hand, is seated at a draped table, upon which is plate with food, cup, and two knives. Amnon bleeds from wound caused by Absalom, wearing hat, his right hand on Amnon's shoulder and with his left hand transfixing Amnon's neck with dagger.
At right, man, wearing hat, raises right hand and man, wearing hood, seated on bench in front of table, extends left hand.
Scene in room.
Caption between vignettes reads, AMON LA VIRGE VIOLLA LA QUELLE TOUTE LAMENTABLE A SOU FRERE ABSALON ALLA LEQUEL TUA AMON A TABLE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, inhabited by monkey, wearing collar, emerging from flower, and pig with monkey on its back holding its ears.
Monkey within decorated initial C.