Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1470
MS M.73 fol. 55r

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Christ: Presentation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with draped hands raised, kneels before draped altar, looking toward nude Christ Child, rays as cross nimbus, hands extended toward her. He is held by draped hands of Simeon standing behind the altar. Maidservant, holding candle with right hand, and basket containing two doves with left hand stands behind Mary, and next to Joseph the Carpenter, and man wearing hat, holding staff with right hand. Canopy hangs above the altar. Scene in room with wooden barrel vault and beams; double doorway in background with jamb of statue of man atop column. Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including winter cherry, daisy, dianthus, and campanula, and inhabited by two birds.