Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
France, probably Paris, ca. 1270s
MS M.101 fol. 23r

See more information »

Center, ovals enclosing:
1) Apostle, Thomas: Incredulity -- Thomas kneels, raising right forefinger to wound in right side of Christ, cross-nimbed, wearing mantle, raising right arm. Proscenium arch below.
2) Christ: Ascension -- Christ disappears into cloud, showing only His feet above Virgin Mary, veiled, in profile, with joined hands raised, and two groups of apostles, all standing on proscenium arch.
3) Pentecost -- Dove of Holy Ghost descends between two groups of seated apostles; two hold books and gesture. Proscenium arch below.
4) Virgin Mary: Coronation -- Virgin Mary, veiled, crowned, wearing vair-lined mantle, raises joined hands beside Christ, cross-nimbed, raising right hand in blessing and holding tripartite globe in left hand; both are seated on bench.
Scenes with gold backgrounds.
Frame, medallions enclosing:
Four figures of prophets, evangelists, or apostles, three holding scrolls and one holding book, all gesturing, seated on benches, beneath trefoil arches. Diapered backgrounds.
Full-page background decorated with diapered spandrels,and with center quatrefoil and four lateral half-trefoils enclosing foliage with dragons on gold grounds, all within decorated frame.