Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Loire, ca. 1475
MS G.1.I fol. 53r

See more information »

Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child, with joined (?) hands, reclines on edge of gown worn by Virgin Mary, hands clasped, kneeling, looking down at Him. Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat and gloves, with joined hands, crutch leaning on his left arm, kneeling opposite Mary, looks down at Him. Four angels are behind them.
Figures in illusionistic shed with deteriorating wall; two men, probably shepherds, stand outside one opening, one wearing hood, with joined hands.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament on trellises, inhabited by fantastic animal. In right margin, initials I and B bound together with knotted cord. In lower margin scroll inscribed with ET NON AVTRE.