Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Egmont breviary
Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440
MS M.87 fol. 260v

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Miniature, column: Elkanah: returning to Ramah -- In foreground, Elkanah, wearing hat, gesturing, followed by Peninnah, wearing headdress, with left hand grasping right hand of one of two children, and Hannah, wearing headdress, with left hand holding reins of bridled ass carrying pack saddles; all walking on path before stream. In background on hill, David, crowned, wearing full armor, trampling and with his right hand plunging sword into neck of Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, with left hand holding halberd, both beside sling and six stones (David: beheading Goliath). In background right, crenellated city buildings, possibly of Ramah. Initial F enclosing half figure of man, gesturing, looking up toward arc of heaven, in First Lesson from books of Samuel and Kings for Matins in Post-Pentecost season. Margins decorated on three sides with scrolling floreate and foliate decoration inhabited by half figure of man, gesturing, and emerging from cloud, and four other figures emerging from foliage (left); and half figures of two men, one gesturing, amid foliage (lower).