Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Bourges, ca. 1480
MS M.330 fol. 52r

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Christ: Deposition -- Christ, rays as cross nimbus, bleeding from wounds, wearing loincloth, is let down in sling of drapery across His chest from tau cross with titulus INRI. The sling is held by two men on ladders leaning on cross bar; man on left grasps right arm of Christ. Arms of Christ hang down toward Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, raising her arms and looking up toward Christ. Man, probably Joseph of Arimathea, raises draped hands up to feet of Christ. Two Holy Women stand at left; Evangelist John, nimbed, stands next to ladder on left. Mary Magdalen, nimbed, holding ointment jar, stands next to ladder on right. Scene in landscape with hills and trees. Text at bottom of miniature begins Short Hours of the Cross, Vespers.