Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 99r

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Virgin Mary and Christ Child -- Historiated initial S enclosing Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, seated and holding nude Christ Child, cross-nimbed, with left arm around neck of Mary, all emanating rays. Around the Virgin are three cherubim.
Margins decorated with foliate ornament. In left margin is nude cherub standing on oval medallion in which nimbed man, possibly prophet, is shown in profile. Below is another cherub. In upper margin is medallion inscribed AVE MA[RIA]. In lower margin in medallion flanked and held by two nude cherubs is nimbed man, possibly prophet, with right hand raised in blessing and holding scroll in left hand. In right margin is nude cherub, sitting in vinescroll above oblong medallion in which Isaiah, nimbed, is shown in profile, with right hand raised and holding in left hand scroll inscribed ECCE VIRGO .... Below are two more cherubs.