Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Brussels, ca. 1540
MS M.696 fol. 117v

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, with rays as nimbus, wearing short loin cloth, bleeding from wounds, is affixed with three nails to tau cross with titulus inscribed INRI. Mary Magdalen, nimbed, wearing hat, kneels on one knee and embraces the base of the cross. Flanking the cross are Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with joined hands raised, and Evangelist John, nimbed, with hands raised. In background is distant city of Jerusalem.
Text and miniature enclosed in classicizing architectural frame, with side pilasters topped with ewers (pitchers).