Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Langres, ca. 1465
MS G.55 fol. 24r

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Christ: Crucifixion, nailed to Cross -- Christ, rays as nimbus, with crown of thorns, wearing short loin cloth, His hands affixed to cross, bleeding from wounds, lies on tau cross. One torturer hammers nail into His feet; another holds end of rope binding His legs. In foreground is basin with sponge (?). Standing at right are two men, one wearing hat, his left hand touching right arm of second man, wearing hat, extending right hand toward Christ, holding staff raised in his left hand. In background three women, two nimbed, two with joined hands, all kneel; Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with hands joined, kneels and leans toward Evangelist John, nimbed, holding her left arm with his left hand. Scene below tri-lobe arch with two medallions in spandrels.
Margins decorated with foliate and floreate ornament, including strawberry and thistle. Vines emerge from vase in right margin. In lower margin, monogram of initials A and P linked by love knot. Text, Mass of the Virgin.