Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Claude Molé
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS M.356 fol. 36v

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross-nimbed, with eyes closed and head inclined, wearing crown of thorns and short loin cloth, bleeding from wounds at head, hands, right side and feet, is affixed with three nails to tau cross with titulus, inscribed INRI, above four bones of skeleton on ground. He is flanked at left by four veiled Holy Women, two nimbed, one with joined hands raised, standing behind Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with joined hands raised, accompanied by Evangelist John, nimbed, all in grisaille; at right, the Centurion (Longinus), wearing helmet and armor in gold, and mantle tied at his waist, with right forefinger indicating Him, looking away, and holding sword in left hand, accompanied by seven (?) soldiers armed with spears, one looking up toward Him. Scene in hilly landscape with trees and city of Jerusalem in background. Decorated initial D inhabited by snail. Miniature and text within architectural frame of two columns supporting pediment.