Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
France, Tours, ca. 1500
M.495 fol. 141r

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Christ: Last Judgment or Evangelist, John: Vision of Christ-- Christ, raising right hand in blessing, holding cross surmounted globe with left hand, is seated in mandorla of rays surrounded by five six-winged seraphs. Other angels are in background. Christ is flanked by Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with joined hands, and by John Baptist with joined hands. At left and right are groups of saints including Peter, nimbed, holding key; man holding cross; women, some veiled; king, crowned; bishops; abbot; and pope wearing triple-crowned tiara. All are within cloud-edged arc of Heaven.
Below, Evangelist John, nimbed, seated in landscape, raising pen with right hand, holds scroll on lap with left hand. At left evangelist symbol (eagle) holds pen case in beak. Ship and boats are in water in background; castle is in distance across water. (Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos) Above John, flying angel extends right hand toward John and indicates Christ with left hand.
Around two sides of the miniature, border of foliate ornament, with cornucopia, birds, strings of beads, animal heads, and lion feet, all in gold on blue ground.