Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
Austria, perhaps Vienna, ca. 1435
MS M.230 fol. 1v

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New Testament:
Christ: Nativity -- Below roof, Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled with wimple, is seated on bed supporting with both hands, nude Christ Child, nimbed, standing on her lap. His left hand is extended to right hand of Joseph, wearing cap, seated, holding crutch with left hand. Cask is on ground next to him. Heads of ass and ox are visible in doorway of building behind them. Silo or haystack is next to the building with trees in background.
Caption DIE GEBURT JHESU CHRISTI LUCAE 2 CAP is below miniature
Prophets:
At left, half-figures of Isaiah, wearing hat, holding with both hands, scroll with inscription from Isaiah, and Habakkuk pulling or grasping beard with left hand, and holding with right hand scroll with inscription from Habakkuk 3:2.
At right, half-figures of prophet holding book with draped right hand, and with left hand inscribed scroll, and Isaiah with head draped, holding with both hands open book with inscription from Isaiah.
Old Testament:
1) Isaac: Birth -- Sarah, wearing hood, sits in draped bed holding swaddled infant. Woman, wearing hood, stands next to the bed, extending hands to the infant. Step is next to the bed.
2) Samson: Birth -- Manoah, wearing hat, is seated with arms crossed on breast, on bench or box. He looks toward his wife, veiled, head on pillow, arms crossed on breast, reclining on draped bed with step. Woman, holding swaddled infant with both hands stands between them, next to the bed.