Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 113r

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Miniature:
David: in Prayer -- Draped altar on which is candlestick, open book, behind which is retable, and above which is altar canopy and baldachino stands before David, wearing diadem and armor, holding hat with right hand, raising left hand, kneeling on one knee. He looks up toward red angel, with cross surmounting head, standing atop baldachino, holding sword in right hand, with left hand indicating arc of heaven enclosing angels and half figure of Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raising right hand in blessing and holding in left hand cross-surmounted globe. Below in background with hills, trees, and building, is group of soldiers wearing helmets, many carrying bannered spears.
Medallions in margins, from top to bottom:
1) David: sending Uriah to Joab -- Flanked by three men, all wearing hats, all holding staff with right hand over right shoulder, David, wearing hat, hands with right hand, letter to Uriah, wearing armor, raising hat with right hand and accepting letter with left hand, kneeling on one knee. Scene within windowed room with tiled floor and doorway.
2) David and Bathsheba -- Seated on draped throne together, David, wearing hat, with his right hand touches right thigh of Bathsheba, wearing henin, his left arm around her waist. Her hands rest in her lap.
3) Uriah the Hittite: Death -- Before two opposing armies of mounted soldiers armed with bannered lances, knight, wearing helmet, holding shield with left hand, pierces at throat, armor of Uriah, wearing helmet, mounted, holding bannered lance with right hand and reins with left hand. Tree in background, weapons including sword on ground.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament including strawberry, rose, viola, and periwinkle.