Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, between 1230 and 1239
MS M.92 fol. 3v

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Christ: Nativity -- Joseph the Carpenter, wearing cap, sits with his left arm resting on tau-staff, behind Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, reclining with her head resting on her left arm on draped four-post bed.
In background, Christ Child, cross-nimbed, swaddled, lies in architectural manger, under which lamp hangs from its trefoiled frame. Ox and ass appear behind Him. Curtain is draped to left side.
Scene with gold background, within decorated frame. Scene caption in French above, (COM) NOSTRE DAME GIST DE GESINE.