Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 141v

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Column miniature:
Anna, nimbed and veiled, extends right hand and with left hand holds right hand of young Virgin Mary, nimbed, with book under her arm. Scene in landscape setting.
Upper vignette:
Maccabees: Battle against Nicanor --Man, wearing hat, stands behind man, wearing hat and ermine-lined mantle, extending hands toward, soldier, wearing armor, extending right hand and holding helmet in left hand. Behind him is group of soldiers, wearing armor and holding spears, most with only tops of heads visible. Scene in front of building.
Lower vignette:
Maccabees: Battle against Nicanor -- Among group of soldiers, wearing armor, some holding spears, most with only tops of heads visible, one holds sword in left hand and extends spear in right hand toward another soldier who grasps the spear with his left hand.
Caption between vignettes reads, DEUANT UIDAS NICHANOR VINT EN ESPERANT QU'IL LE TUAST MAIS VNG QUI DE AU LIEU FIRRUINT DISANT QUE DE LUY SE GARDAST.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including columbines and strawberries, inhabited by bird and by monkey playing rebec.
Fantastic animal in decorated initial D and head of fantastic animal in decorated initial C.