Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Diurnal of Isabelle de Bourbon
France, Amiens, ca. 1455
MS M.221 fol. 15r

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, with arms crossed on breast, kneels, looking down toward Christ Child, nude, emitting rays, both attended by midwife, wearing turban-like headdress, lowering cloth toward Him, and beside Joseph the Carpenter, bearded, wearing headgear, lowering right hand to indicate Him, all before wattle-fence of shed, behind which are three men, possibly shepherds, wearing short tunics, the foremost two embracing. Scene in landscape with city in background. Margin, upper: Peacock. Margin, center: Head of black male wearing conical hat emerging from foliate bud. Margins decorated with foliate and floreate ornament, including daisies and columbines. Text is from Antiphon at beginning of Lauds for Christmas Day (12.25).