Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1510
M.646 fol. 39r

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Christ: Nativity -- Nude Chirst Child, emitting rays, reclines in ground. He is flanked by Virgin Mary, rays as nimbus, veiled, kneeling in ront of mattress, with joined hands raised, and Joseph Carpenter, wearing hood, kneeling with joined hands raised, holding pedum.
Behind them is shed and fence with gate, behind which are two figures, holding sticks. In sky is God, raising right hand in gesture of blessing, and holding cross-surmounted globe in left hand. He is within rayed arc of heaven, above landscape setting.
Margins are decorated with floreate border, including grapevines and strawberries,inhabited by by half-figures of man, wearing hood, with hands raised, man, playing trumpet, and man holding stick, with right hand raised. At top are three half-figures of angels, one playing lute, another playing psaltery, and a thrid playing rebec.