Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1490
MS M.144 fol. 23r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, nimbed, holding scepter in right hand and scroll inscribed AVE GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM BENEDICTA in left hand, kneels before Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneeling with joined hands raised beneath canopy at draped prie-dieu with open book with two clasps and pseudo-inscription. Rays descend from top left toward Mary. Scene in room with tile floor and framed by columns and architectural pinnacle and architrave with round cut-outs.
Margins with gold frame. In lower margin are two vignettes:
1) Adam and Eve: Fall of Man -- Flanking fruit tree around which human-headed serpent twines, are Eve, nude, with left hand touching the serpent, and Adam, nude, with right hand on his throat.
2) Virgin Mary: Life in Temple -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, sits behind loom holding batten in right hand and shuttle in left hand (Scene, Occupational: Weaving).