Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 87r

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Miniature:
Magi: Adoration -- Within stable, on bed on which is covered container, Virgin Mary, nimbed, sits holding on her lap, Christ Child, nimbed, nude, amid rays, entending His arms toward eldest Magus kneeling at His feet. His hat is on ground, next to covered container. Joseph the Carpenter, his right hand resting on walking stick, stands behind Virgin Mary. Of the other two Magi, standing, one wears hat, with joined hands extended, and the other, black Magus, crowned, holds covered container surmounted by cross, with both hands. Rays from star above stable stream down toward Joseph the Carpenter, Virgin Mary and Christ Child. Scene in landscape with trees and walled city in background, all beneath starry sky.
Three medallions in margins, from top to bottom:
(1) Magi: Journey -- Group of horsemen, some with lance, some with bannered lance, three Magi (?) leading, all wearing hats.
(2) Magi: Journey -- One (?) of three horsemen is Magus, wearing hat, walled city in background, beneath starry sky.
(3) Magi: Journey -- Magus, wearing hat leads group of men carrying spears.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament, including viola, strawberry, and rose.