Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Tours, France, ca. 1465-1468 ; Bourges, France, ca. 1470
MS M.834 fol. 21r

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Christ: Bewailing -- Body of dead Christ, rayed cross as nimbus, wearing loincloth, bleeding from wounds, rests on lap of Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, arms raised in grief. Joseph of Arimathea, shroud hanging over right shoulder, kneels on left knee and supports Christ's head. At right, Mary Magdalen, nimbed, wearing white, crosses arms before breast and kneels beside ointment jar on ground. Behind the Virgin, Evangelist John kneels with hands raised. In background behind cross, three holy women, veiled, kneel. They are flanked by five figures (four men and one woman ?), possibly including Nicodemus, two holding ointment jars and two each with towel resting over shoulder.
At bottom of miniature, three angels kneel. Two support text block ornamented with motto SI L'AVIENT AR. One holds crown of thorns.
Scene in landscape setting within gold frame.