Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 105r

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David: in Prayer -- Historiated, jeweled initial D enclosing David, nimbed, kneeling beside crown and harp, with joined hands raised. Scene in landscape with cave and distant mountains. Around the bow of the D are two cherubs.
In margins is foliate ornament. In left margin in elongated medallion is nimbed female (?) prophet, pointing with right hand toward scroll held in left hand. Above medallion are kneeling cherub and bird. Below is cherub seated amid vinescroll. In upper margin two cherubs flank and hold medallion inscribed DAVIT. In right margin in medallion is nimbed male prophet, with right hand raised and pointing and holding scroll in left hand. Seated on medallion are two cherubs, with two birds above. Two birds and two cherubs are seated on vinescroll below. In lower margin in medallion is nimbed male prophet, wearing hat, pointing toward himself with right hand and holding scroll in left hand; trees in background. The medallion is flanked and held by two standing cherubs.