Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Gradual
Italy, ca. 1260-1270
MS M.933 fol. 180r

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Holy Women: at Sepulcher -- In upper register of initial R, two of three Holy Women, nimbed and veiled, carry ointment jars in right hands. The foremost, extends left hand and looks toward angel, nimbed, hovering over empty tomb, gesturing. Drapery visible on side of the sarcophagus; behind it are pair of arches, with hanging lamp in each.
Christ: Harrowing of Hell -- In lower register of initial R, Christ, crossed nimbus, stands on devil, bleeding from wounds, reclining on doors. Christ reaches back with right hand, grasping right hand of one of two men standing with woman, veiled, in mouth of cave. He holds processional cross with left hand. At right John Baptist, nimbed, raising right hand, wearing animal skin, stands before large group of men (?), one crowned, in mouth of another cave.
Initial decorated with foliate and geometric ornament, human head or mask, two addorsed birds biting each others back, and fish.