Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, perhaps Tournai, 1480s
MS M.234 fol. 49v

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Barbara of Nicomedia, nimbed, extends her left hand toward tower under construction, surrounded by two levels of scaffolding with ladder between them. She stands facing man holding trowel. Another man stands in background holding basin (?).
Scene in landscape, before city wall with gate and buildings beyond.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including strawberry, rose, daisy, viola, and dianthus, and inhabited by monkey playing bagpipe (Scene, Burlesque: playing Musical Instrument) and by bird.