Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of hours
France, probably Rouen, ca. 1470
MS M.32 fol. 4v

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Margin, upper: Personification of Vice, Pride, inscribed ORGUEL, is represented by crowned king, seated on throne, holding floreate scepter in left hand and mirror in right hand, accompanied by winged, horned devil, with claw-foot visible, extending hands to the mirror. Figures in room with four arched windows, decorative wall and tiled floor. Arched vignette within block border of floreate decoration, including roses. Margin, lower: Christ: Baptism -- Beneath rays descending from arc of heaven, and stars, Christ, name inscribed IHESUS, cross-nimbed, nude, with joined hands raised, stands partly submerged in water, flanked by angel holding garment, and John Baptist, nimbed, wearing animal skin (?), kneeling, with vessel in right hand baptizing head of Christ (suggesting link with Zodiac Sign: Aquarius). Scene in landscape with hills and water beyond. Square vignette within block border of floreate decoration, including thistles. Block border at left margin of floreate and foliate decoration, including grapes and currants.