Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Egmont breviary
Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440
MS M.87 fol. 250r

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Christ: Last Supper -- Initial D enclosing Christ, cross-nimbed, with right hand extended to loaf and with left hand over body of sleeping Evangelist John, eyes closed, head resting in his arms on draped table spread with three round loaves, cup, dish, and knife, both surrounded by eight apostles, all behind the table. Before the table, Judas, kneeling with joined hands raised, beside another apostle seated on bench, with left hand holding cup; all nimbed except the Judas. Scene in room and against gold background. Decorated initial for beginning of Vespers for Feast of Corpus Christi. Margins decorated on three sides with scrolling floreate and foliate decoration, including strawberry, inhabited by half figures of angels, emerging from clouds (right); and half figures of two men, wearing hats, amid foliage (lower).