Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of hours
France, probably Rouen, ca. 1470
MS M.32 fol. 26v

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Virgin Mary: Visitation -- Beneath rays and starry sky, Virgin Mary, nimbed, and Elizabeth, nimbed, veiled with wimple, embrace before Joseph the Carpenter (?), flanked by two angels wearing vestments. Scene in hilly landscape with trees with path leading to city in background. Margin, lower: Legend, Hercules: Hercules slaying Nessus -- Beneath rays and starry sky, Hercules, name erroneously inscribed ARCHILES, wearing helmet and armor, stands on left bank, drawing arrow in bow at Nessus the Centaur, bearded, holding club in left hand, head turned back toward Dejanira, wearing veiled hennin, mounted sideways on his back, departing on right bank. Scene in landscape with river and trees. Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate decoration, including grapes, daisies, roses and thistles.