Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Virgin Mary and Christ Child.
Belgium, possibly Tournai, ca. 1440
MS M.357. Fol. 163r

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Virgin Mary, crowned, wearing ermined-lined mantle decorated with suns and crescents, holds with both hands, one draped, nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, extending right hand to Mary. Angel, raising basket containing red objects, kneels before them. Two other angels are behind Mary, one lifting her mantle, the other raising right hand, left hand on breast.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by torso of distorted man with long neck, supporting himself with right hand and raising left hand, and hybrid man holding foliage with each hand. Text and miniature framed on three sides by gold bars decorated with flowers and intertwining vines.