Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Egmont breviary
Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440
MS M.87 fol. 355v

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John Baptist: Birth -- Initial S enclosing Elizabeth, nimbed, veiled with wimple, seated on bed of the canopy type, against pillows and under covers, with both hands supporting swaddled infant John Baptist, also touched by right hand of veiled midwife to left of the bed. In background left, Zacharias, wearing conical hat and belted purse, clasping hands. Scene in bedroom with tiled floor. Miniature at beginning of First Lesson in First Nocturn for Feast of Nativity of John Baptist (06.25). Margins decorated on three sides with scrolling floreate and foliate decoration, inhabited by half figures of two prophets, one wearing cap with left hand raised, emerging from clouds, holding scrolls inscribed P(RI)USQ(UA)M TE and AD O(MN)IA (right).