Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, between 1471 and 1485
MS M.815 fol. 12v

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Top margin with roses.
Margins with five vignettes in architectural framework (described top to bottom):
1) Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneels with joined hands raised to nude infant Christ Child, laying on ground on her mantle. Behind her kneels Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed. Ox and ass to left. Scene in shed.
2) Stephen Protomartyr: Stoning -- Man, with stones in gathered shirt, with right hand raises stone above Stephen Protomartyr, nimbed, tonsured, bleeding from wound, wearing deacon's vestment, kneeling with joined hands raised.
3) Evangelist John, nimbed, stands with right hand indicating goblet held in left hand.
4) Innocents: Massacre -- Helmeted soldier raises sword to veiled woman, seated on ground, with right hand raised in defense and holding swaddled infant in left arm. In background is veiled woman, holding swaddled infant, flanked by soldiers wearing armor.
5) Zodiac Sign: Capricornus -- Sea goat in landscape.