Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Diurnal of Isabelle de Bourbon
France, Amiens, ca. 1455
MS M.221 fol. 194v

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Virgin Mary: Death -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, eyes closed, lying on canopied bed with pillow, left arm crossed on breast and with right hand touching lit tapered candle placed by extended left hand of Apostle Peter, nimbed, tonsured, wearing mantle fastened with morse, with right hand raising aspergil, accompanied by nine nimbed apostles (some with only nimbi visible), including Evangelist John, nimbed, raising right hand and holding small pot in left hand. Before the bed, possibly another Apostle Peter, nimbed, tonsured, sits on floor reading from open book in lap. Scene in bedroom with tiled floor. Margin, upper: Siren with outstretched wings. Margin, center: Mask issuing from foliate ornament. Margin, lower: Possibly angel, back-turned, behind its wing, amid foliate ornament. Margins decorated with foliate and floreate ornament, including daisies, cornflowers and columbines. Text is from Antiphon for Lauds of Assumption of Virgin Mary (08.15).