Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1460
MS M.972 fol. 88v

See more information »

Miniature:
Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child, rays as cross nimbus, reclines amid rays on ground. Before cloth of honor, Virgin Mary, rayed nimbus, wearing gold necklace and belt, orant, kneels at His feet, looking down at Him. Ox and ass are behind the cloth of honor. Joseph the Carpenter, right hand on breast, holding crutch with left hand, kneels at His head. Christ Child is flanked by three angels, one backturned, two with joined hands, all kneeling. Dove of Holy Ghost descends toward Christ Child amid rays emitted by half figure of God, crossed nimbus, right hand raised in blessing, holding cross surmounted tri-partite globe with left hand amid rays in cloud-edged arc of Heaven.
Scene below straw roof supported by wooden uprights in landscape with trees. Shepherds on hill in distance with sheep.
Vignette:
Christ: before Pilate -- In left margin, Pilate, wearing hat, is seated on throne, holding scepter with left hand, extending right hand toward soldier kneeling before him. Behind the soldier, Christ, crossed nimbus stands flanked by two other soldiers. At far left, man stands behind throne.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including, and inhabited by half-figure of angel emerging from flower, playing shawm.