Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Pontifical of Gilles de Luxembourg
France, Châlons-sur-Marne, ca. 1503
MS M.1098 fol. 16v

See more information »

Scene, Liturgical: Blessing of Cemetery -- Two tonsured priests, wearing vestments, kneel facing each other, with one holding bishop's miter in both hands, and the other, possibly a bishop, with joined hands raised before open book with pseudo-inscription held by kneeling acolyte. Other kneeling, tonsured acolytes hold aspergil and situla, and crozier. Figures in cemetery strewn with bones and skulls, with five crosses and a sarcophagus, enclosed by charnel house filled with skulls.