Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, probably Milan, ca. 1470
MS M.454 fol. 21r

See more information »

Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- In foreground on draped bier reclines body of man, wearing hat,his head on pillow, hands crossed at waist. Three open books are also on the bier, one at his feet, and two at his thighs. Candlestick is at foot of the bier. Behind the bier, Bishop, wearing miter and cope, stands holding aspergil with right hand and open book with left hand. At his left hand stands acolyte, tonsured, grasping the cope with right hand and holding situla with left hand. At left are five monks, tonsured, singing, all looking toward open book held by two foremost monks. At right are two hooded mourners, possibly raising draped right hands to faces.
Margins decorated with flowering vine scroll, forming two medallions, one enclosing rabbit, the other enclosing skull; vase with foliage in lower margin.