Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, Canterbury, 1155-1160
MS M.724v

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PANELS 1-2 (top):
1) David: proclaimed King -- David, crowned, seated on throne with footstool, holding harp in left hand, is offered crown by man accompanied by three men, all armed with spears.
2) David: Battle against Zion -- David, crowned, accompanied by group of men, all mounted, approaches city gate of Jerusalem.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

PANEL 3:
Jesse: Tree -- Tree springs from body of Jesse.
At apex, dove of Holy Ghost descends above half-figure of Christ, cross-nimbed, with book in left hand, in medallion.
1) Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Below, Archangel Gabriel, nimbed, approaches Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, book in left hand, as half-figure in medallion; dove of Holy Ghost descends toward her.
2) Virgin Mary: Espousal -- To right, Joseph the Carpenter with right hand holds right hand of Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, surrounded by five men.
3) Zacharias: Annunciation -- Below, nimbed angel addresses Zacharias swinging censer over draped altar inscribed with cross, all within temple of Jerusalem.
Busts of fourteen crowned kings, one holding scepter, between branches of the tree.
Scene in frame decorated with abstract ornament.

PANELS 4-7 (side, right):
1) Virgin Mary: Visitation -- Between two maidservants holding back curtains, Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, both nimbed, embrace.
2) John Baptist: Birth -- Veiled woman and four men, one of whom holds infant John Baptist, stands before Elizabeth in bed. Scene in architectural setting
3) John Baptist: Naming -- Veiled woman and four men, one of whom holds John Baptist, stands before Zacharias holding knife in left hand and pen in right hand, writing JOHANNES on open scroll on lectern, seated on chair within building.
4) Christ: Nativity -- Joseph the Carpenter, wearing pointed hat, resting his chin on left hand, sits on bench with footstool; Christ Child, cross-nimbed, swaddled, lies in manger (crib) before ox and ass; Virgin Mary, veiled, with right hand raised in blessing (?), reclines on mattress. Visible in underdrawing: Angel, nimbed, with censer flying above scene.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.