Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 105v

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Upper vignette:
Elijah: Prophets of Baal mocked -- Prophet of Baal transfixes his arm with knife held in right hand. Second prophet transfixes his breast with knife held in right hand, beside third man (only head visible). At right, fourth man extends right hand holding burning wood toward ox, seated on ground amid logs. All wear hats. Scene in landscape setting.
Lower vignette:
Elijah: Prophets of Baal -- Two prophets, one with hands crossed and the other with joined hands raised, kneel beside two men, wearing hats, one raising sword in both hands and one raising scimitar in right hand. On ground is decapitated body of third prophet, bleeding from neck, head on ground beside him. Scene in landscape setting.
Caption between vignettes reads, PAR DESPIT Q(UE) L'AN CHANTEMENT DES FAULX PROPHETES DEFAILLORT CHASCUN ENRAGA DE TORMENT ET MOURUT CO(M)E DIEU VOULOIT.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including columbines, inhabited by hybrid animal, winged, out of whose moth emerges fantastic animal.
Moth in decorated initial D.