Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 13r

See more information »

Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos and Evangelist, John: Scene, Devil stealing Inkpot -- Evangelist John, nimbed, seated on ground, right knee raised with scroll draped over knee. His right hand is on scroll left hand holds it open. Evangelist symbol (eagle) is beside him. Before him devil, horned, reaches right front hand toward spilled inkpot; another devil, raising pole, emerges from crack in earth. Scene on island; ships in water around island; trees on shore and city in background. Rays emerge from starry sky above John.
In margins, within circle of foliage:
1) Evangelist, John: boiled in Oil -- Nude Evangelist John, nimbed, with joined hands, standing in barrel, looks up toward oil poured from ladle held by torturer. At right, kettle (?) sits on fire.
2) Evangelist, John: Conversion of Aristodemus, John drinking Poison Cup -- Evangelist John, nimbed, raises right hand in blessing over cup held in left hand. He stands over bodies of two men lying on ground, one with arms raised.
3) Evangelist, John: Conversion of Aristodemus, Two Men restored to Life -- Evangelist John, nimbed, holding palm with both hands, bends over two men, one kneeling on one knee with joined hands, the other lying on ground.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament includng pinks and columbine, and inhabited by bird.