Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 146r

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Miniature:
Pentecost -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with joined hands, kneels, flanked by sixteen Apostles (?), all nimbed, six with joined hands, some kneeling. Dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, hovers above all emitting rays or tongues of fire that reach to several nimbi. Scene in windowed room with vaulted ceiling and tiled floor.
Medallions in margins, from top to bottom:
1) Christ: noli me tangere -- Mary Magdalen, nimbed, holding ointment jar in extended left hand, and extending right hand, kneels before Christ, cross-nimbed, possibly beardless, raising right hand in blessing, holding bannered cross-staff in draped right hand, wearing mantle and short loincloth, showing wounds. Scene in landscape with trees, grass, wattle fence.
2) Apostle, Thomas: Incredulity -- Thomas, nimbed, kneeling on one knee, resting left hand on left knee, extends right hand to touch wound in side of Christ, cross-nimbed, possibly beardless, His right hand touching (?) that of Thomas, holding bannered cross-staff in right hand, wearing short loincloth and mantle, showing wounds in feet. Scene in landscape with trees, wattle fence, stream (?) and city or building in background.
3) Christ: on Road to Emmaus -- Two men, both wearing hats, one with right hand on breast, holding walking stick in left hand, stand on road before Christ, cross-nimbed, right hand raised, holding walking stick in left hand. Scene in landscape with trees, and with city in background, all beneath starry sky.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament, including viola, rose, and strawberry.