Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1420
MS M.1000 fol. 33r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Within architectural setting, Archangel Gabriel, decorated nimbus, holds scroll, draped across hands, inscribed AVE GRATIA PLE(NA) from Luke 1:28. He kneels on one knee before Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus. Kneeling before altar on pillow beside chair, she turns to face Gabriel, raising her right hand and placing left hand on opened, inscribed book next to burning candle on altar. To left of figures is vase with lily.
Above, in arc of heaven, half-figure of God, crossed nimbus, holds globe in right hand and points with left hand, sending rays of light, on which dove descends toward Virgin Mary. Below arc of heaven, angel watches scene below from balcony.
Miniature and text framed by decorative border of foliate design.