Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1490
MS M.144 fol. 37r

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Christ: Nativity -- Joseph the Carpenter, holding lighted candle in left hand, kneels on one knee beside Christ Child, nude, emanating rays, laying on ground, and Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, kneeling with joined hands raised before brocade cloth of honor within shed with thatched roof with hole. In foreground are ox and ass. In background, two men, possibly shepherds, witness scene from behind wattle fence. Above, rays emanate toward the Christ Child. In distant background is landscape with hill, trees, and buildings.
Margins with floreate and vinescroll ornament, inhabited by two fantastic animals.