Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, between 1550 and 1558
M.538 fol. 25v

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Virgin Mary: Visitation -- Elizabeth, nimbed, wearing headdress, extending right hand, grasps with left hand, right shoulder of Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, left hand on breast, left hand extended toward right hand of Elizabeth. Two maidservants are behind Elizabeth; two (?) angels, one nimbed with wings are behind Mary.
Scene in hilly landscape, with partialy ruined buildings in background, two soldiers, carrying spears, walking on path, two men (?) under bush beside rock.
Miniature within frame decorated with winged head wearing wreath; four caryatids, each wearing wreath, two with horns and two half-figure holding trumpet with one hand and indicating head or mask with other hand; two heads or masks; two angels flanking and leaning on escutcheon decorated with heraldry of Claude Gouffier (or, three bars gemels sable), surmounted by crown, and surrounded by collar of the order of the Archangel Michael decorated with scallop shells and pendant of Michael transfixing dragon on which he stands. (Angel, Archangel Michael: transfixing Dragon); two bunches of fruit and vegetables including squash and grapes.