Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
France, ca. 1511
MS M. 8 fol. 61r

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Abraham: sacrificing Isaac -- Angel grasps blade of saber in raised right hand of Abraham, wearing turban-like headgear and knotted sash at waist. He looks up over his right shoulder at the angel. With his left hand he grasps hair of Isaac, kneeling with joined hands raised. Scene in landscape; fire on altar in background. Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including dianthus, strawberry, cornflower, viola, thistle, bladder cherry, and columbine, and inhabited by bird and snail. Text is first lesson in first nocturn for Matins on Quinquagesima Sunday.