Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
Italy, Bologna, ca. 1315-1325
MS M.0373 fol. 303v

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Scene, Liturgical: Veneration of Host (?) -- At right, priest, tonsured, wearing chasuble stands on step before draped altar with side curtain. Disk, possibly wafer (host) is on the altar. Behind him are eight clerics, seven tonsured, one wearing hood; four kneel behind the priest, the foremost holding candle; four stand before tall lectern on which is open book and from which hangs weight (?), three looking up toward the lectern, one looking away. Initial D enclosing bust of Christ, crossed nimbus. In lower left margin, saint, nimbed, right hand on breast, standing on pillow next to the initial D. In lower margin, foliate medallion at left enclosing saint, nimbed, possibly kneeling, raising right hand, extending with left hand, scroll with pseudo-inscription to left. At right, man, wearing diadem (crown), seated, indicating right eye with right hand, looking to left. Margins decorated with foliate ornament and gold balls; four medallions with geometric ornament on rectilinear stems of foliage. Pen flourished initials. Text is chapter from 1st vespers for feast of Corpus Christi.