Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
Spain, Valencia, ca. 1468
M.450 fol. 126v

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Initial D:
John Baptist, nimbed, wearing animal skin, raising right hand, is seated, resting left hand on open book on his lap. Lamb of God, nimbed, holding bannered cross-staff with right front leg, sits at his feet. Figures are in landscape with rocky outcrops, trees, under starry sky.
Left margin:
Water flows from six (?) spouts in fountain, in the shape of covered baptismal font, surmounted by cross. Two spouts are in animal heads. Two male figures flank the fountain beneath the lowest spouts. Water flows to mouth of figure at left, grasping the fountain with both hands. At right, water cascades over head of nude male figure.
Below the fountain, are three pomegranates. Two nude youths, holding spears (?) emerge opening in side of blue pomegranate. Nude youth crouches in opening in side of second pomegranate, holding spears in both hands. With spear in right hand he pokes hindquarters of cow entering split in left side of third pomegranate; nude youth emerges from split in right side.
Lower margin:
Of four nude youths riding hobbyhorses, two wear sashes over shoulders, holding hobby horse with one hand and spear with the other; one wears cap and holds spear in each hand; and the fourth, raising spear with right hand, is wearing hat.
Margins decorated wtih border of floreate ornament.
Text is Introit for feast of the birth of John Baptist, 24 June.