Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1420
MS M.1000 fol. 79r

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Shepherds: Annunciation -- Angel, decorated nimbus, appears in starry sky with scroll inscribed GLORIA IN EXCELCIS...PAR... held in left hand and draped across right arm (Luke 02:14, variant; portions of text hidden in folds of scroll). With right hand, he points to his right.
Below, three shepherds and dog look up toward angel. One shepherd, with pouch and flask tied around waist, holding staff, is seated. Opposite him, two shepherds stand, one of them supporting himself with staff in left hand and covering eyes with right hand. Flock of sheep grazes at their feet and around spring issuing from ground. Scene set in landscape with river and city, with windmill, surmounting hill.
Miniature and text framed by decorative border of foliate design.