Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Belgium, Liège, ca. 1280s
MS M.183 fol. 213r

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Initial D:
Christ: Betrayal and Arrest -- Judas embraces Christ, cross-nimbed, with right hand raised and book in left hand, flanked by Apostle Peter, nimbed, tonsured, holding sword, and four men, one holding lantern and club, one in chain mail, holding sword, and another holding halberd.
Scene beneath double trefoil arches, within initial D decorated with marginal foliate extensions. Beginning of first Versicle for Lauds.
In lower margin, two scrolling tendrils, partly formed by dragon, enclose bas-de-page scenes as follows:
Christ: Betrayal, Arrival in Garden -- Judas, unnimbed, holding moneybag, leads man, wearing pointed cap, holding club, and soldier, in chain mail, holding halberd, toward left.
Judas: receiving Silver -- Judas, nimbed, gestures toward man, wearing pointed cap, extending moneybag toward him, and another man.