Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1460
M.387 fol. 127v

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Virgin Mary: Coronation -- Within cloud-edged mandorla, two angels, with joined hands, stand behind Virgin Mary, with joined hands. She is kneeling on pillow before Christ, crossed nimbus, raising right hand in blessing, holding on lap with left hand tripartite globe, seated on throne amid rays. Angel hovers above them holding crown with both hands. The mandorla is flanked by nine apostles, nimbed. Below, amid clouds are two angels and groups of saints, all nimbed, including George of Cappadocia, holding spear with right hand, wearing armor, helmet, and white tabard inscribed with red cross; Catherine of Alexandria, crowned, holding sword with right hand and broken wheel with draped left hand; tonsured cleric holding palm with right hand; tonsured monk, orant; bishop holding crozier; women, one veiled with wimple; nun, veiled with wimple and holding palm with right hand and monstrance or reliquary with left hand; many only nimbus visible. At bottom are three angels, one playing viol, another playing harp.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including daisy, and inhabited by three birds. Three scrolls are inscribed SPES ILLORUM I(M)MORTALITATE PLENA EST. SAPIENCIE TERCIO CAPITULO (Wisdom 3:4); SANCTIS AUT(EM) TUIS MAXIMA ERAT LUX. SAPIENCIE I8 CAPITULO (Wisdom 18:1); O Q(UAM) PULCHRA ES CASTA GENERACIO CU(M) CLARITATE SAPIE(N)CIE IN PERPETUU(M) CORONATA TRIU(M)FAUIT.