Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1500
MS M.220 fol. 24r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, beneath canopy inscribed AVE GRATIA PLENA DO[MINUS] TECV[M], kneels with joined hands raised beside draped prie-dieu with open book with pseudo-inscription. Before her is vase with lily and Archangel Gabriel, wearing jeweled cope, holding scepter in right hand and with left hand raised. Dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, descends on rays from God, nimbed, holding cross-surmounted (?) globe in left hand, with right hand raised in blessing, in starry arc of heaven in sky. Scene in room with marble paneling, cloth hangings, including one decorated with fleur-de-lis, and statue in niche in wall. Landscape visible through doorway.
Two scenes below text block:
1) Joachim and Anna: at Golden Gate -- Joachim, looking upward, embraces Anna, wearing wimpled veil, both standing before Golden Gate. City behind wall.
2) Virgin Mary: Presentation -- Anna, nimbed, wearing wimpled veil, with joined hands raised, and Joachim, wearing chaperon hat, gesturing, stand beside steps. Virgin Mary, nimbed, as young girl, with joined hands raised, climbs the steps toward High Priest, wearing pointed headdress and cope, extending right hand, standing at doorway of temple. Brick wall and buildings in background.
Miniature enclosed in architectural frame, with flanking columns surmounted by Adam, nude, holding apple in raised left hand, and Eve, nude, holding apple in raised right hand. At pinnacle is human-headed serpent (Adam and Eve: Fall of Man).