Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, Canterbury, 1155-1160
MS M.521v

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ZONE 1:
1a) Christ: Parable, Wise and Foolish Virgins -- Five Foolish Virgins, veiled, each holding burning lamp, stand beside five Wise Virgins, veiled and crowned, each holding burning lamp, all facing man with right hand raised.
1b) Christ: Parable, Wise and Foolish Virgins -- Five Foolish Virgins, veiled, each holding burning lamp, stand before closed doors. To right, five Wise Virgins, veiled and crowned, each holding lamp, stand beside bridegroom, with left hand placed in dish, and veiled bride, with semi-circular object in left hand, both crowned, beside veiled woman, all behind draped table on which are cross-inscribed loaf, two vessels and object (banquet). Servant, holding cup in right hand, stands before the table.
2a) Christ, Parable, Talents -- Man, crowned, seated on bench, gives coins to one of three servants; at right, three servants depart.
2b) Christ, Parable, Talents -- Servant, with spade in left hand, places cross-inscribed coin in hole of earth. Two servants flank vine; one holds object, possibly sack, over left shoulder; second digs with spade. To right, three servants stand, raising hands toward man, crowned, with coins in right hand, seated on bench.
3a) Christ: meeting Zaccheus -- Group of apostles stands behind Christ, cross-nimbed, with scroll in left hand and right hand raised toward Zaccheus in tree.
3b) Christ: in House of Zaccheus -- Thirteen men, including three nimbed apostles, one holding knife, flank Christ, cross-nimbed, with object in left hand and right hand raised. All sit at draped table on which are two bowls, one containing fish, two cross-inscribed loaves, cup and jar. Zaccheus, holding dish of food, kneels before the table.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 2:
1a) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Simon the Pharisee, covered with leprosy, seated on bench, oversees five servants, two holding cloth, two carrying flesh-hooks beside cauldron, another holding object, tending fire beneath the cauldron.
1b) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Prostrate woman, possibly Mary Magdalen, wipes with her hair foot of Christ, cross-nimbed, flanked by group of men, including nimbed apostle, all behind draped table on which are two loaves, one cross-inscribed, fish in dish, two vessels and dish; Simon the Pharisee, covered with leprosy, sits on chair beneath canopy at head of table.
2a) Christ: meeting Samaritan Woman -- Christ, cross-nimbed, with book in left hand, approaches veiled Samaritan Woman holding in well rope from pulley on furca (drawing water); five apostles, three nimbed, stand before city gate of Sychar.
2b) Christ: besought by Samaritans -- Nine men, two veiled women, and three children follow Christ, cross-nimbed, with roll or book in left hand, before city gate of Sychar.
3a) Christ: in House of Mary and Martha -- Mary, veiled, kneels at feet of Christ, cross-nimbed, flanked by twelve men, possibly apostles, one holding roll in left hand, all seated; to right, Martha, veiled, stands beneath arch.
3b) Christ: anointed by Woman -- Veiled woman with horn pours ointment on head of Christ, cross-nimbed, seated behind draped table on which are three cross-inscribed loaves, two bowls, two cups, and vessel; eleven apostles, seated behind the table, flank Him. Scene beneath arch.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 3:
1a) Mary of Bethany and Martha: comforted -- Within building, two veiled women comfort Mary of Bethany and Martha, both veiled, one seated on bench.
Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus, met by Mary, and Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus, met by Martha -- To right, Martha, veiled, stands, and Mary lies prostrate at feet of Christ, cross-nimbed, beside four men, one holding book or roll.
1b) Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus -- Three men stand behind Mary and Martha, both of Bethany, veiled. Christ, cross-nimbed, extends right hand toward nimbed apostle, possibly Peter, grasping winding bands of mummy of Lazarus rising from sarcophagus. Three men, two holding drapery against noses, hold cover of sarcophagus.
2a) Christ: sending for Ass, and Apostles: fetching Ass -- Six apostles, one nimbed, stand behind Christ, cross-nimbed, with book in left hand and right hand extended toward two nimbed apostles. One of two nimbed apostles grasps ass standing beside foal, before man standing in city gate.
2b) Christ: Entry into Jerusalem -- Group of followers stands behind Christ, cross-nimbed, seated astride ass, treading on garment, and riding toward seven men, one holding garment, others holding palms, two atop city gate of Jerusalem.
3a) Judas: receiving Silver -- Horned devil perches on shoulder of Judas, nimbed, standing before man holding scroll. Within temple, two of four seated men holding scrolls.
3b) Judas: receiving Silver -- Horned devil perches on shoulder of Judas, nimbed, standing beside three men. To right, devil perches on shoulder of Judas, nimbed, receiving coins from man who receives coins from man beside chest in front of Temple in which lamp hangs.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 4:
1a) Christ: Last Supper, Preparation -- Four apostles follow Christ, cross-nimbed, with right hand extended toward Apostle Peter and Evangelist John, both nimbed. To right, Peter and John, both nimbed, follow man carrying tub on shoulder, before gate of building.
1b) Christ: Last Supper -- Evangelist John, nimbed, leans on breast of Christ, cross-nimbed, giving sop to Judas crouching before draped table on which are two cross-inscribed loaves, fish and vessels; ten nimbed apostles, one holding roll, flank Christ behind the table.
2a) Christ: Washing of Feet -- Christ, cross-nimbed, with towel around waist, kneels beside basin, grasping right foot of Apostle Peter, nimbed, with hand to head, seated with ten nimbed apostles.
2b) Christ: in Gethsemane -- Christ, cross-nimbed, prostrate on mountain, beside chalice, raises hands toward Hand of God in sky. To right, Christ, cross-nimbed, raises right hand toward one of three nimbed apostles, one nimbed, sleeping.
Christ: confounding Soldiers -- Eight men, some bent over, some kneeling, armed with four spears and lantern, one wearing armor, accompany Judas, nimbed, standing on mountain before Christ, cross-nimbed, book in left hand.
3b) Christ: Betrayal and Arrest -- Among four soldiers, wearing helmets and armor, two armed with two spears and two holding torches, one grasps left wrist of Christ, cross-nimbed, right hand on head of Malchus, kneeling and gesturing; Judas kisses Him.
Apostle, Peter: cutting off Ear of Malchus -- To right, Apostle Peter, nimbed, raises sword in right hand and with left hand touches head of Malchus, standing beside two nimbed apostles.
Scenes within frames decorated with abstract ornament.