Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Weltchronik
Germany, Regensburg, ca. 1360
MS M.769 fol. 273r

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Christ: Nativity -- Heads of ox and ass, mouths open, visible at wattle manger behind scroll-like mattress, on which, Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, reclines. She extends with both hands nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, hands extended toward Joseph the Carpenter, hands raised, crutch supported by left arm. Behind him, two midwives flank tub, one extending left hand past Joseph toward Christ Child, and lowers left hand toward water in the tub. The other woman, veiled, pours water from jar into the tub.
At far left, two rams, confronted; shepherd, wearing hood, holding pedum with right hand, raises left hand, looking upward; another shepherd indicating with left hand, busts of three angels, nimbed, one with joined hands, two holding blank scrolls, and one indicating scene below. At right, seated back-turned shepherd, wearing hood, pedum on his lap, and five (?) sheep. Scene in landscape. (Shepherds: Annunciation)