Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, perhaps Bruges, ca. 1420
MS M.76 fol. 292v

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Helena, Empress: Scene, finding True Cross -- Helena, rays as nimbus, crowned and veiled with wimple stands grasping cross with both arms. She looks toward man, wearing hat, indicating hole in the ground with right hand and holding shovel with left hand.
Background of diaper in miniature. Blue heads appear above arch inside frame of miniature.
Margins decorated with border of gold rinceaux inhabited by hybrid man raising both hands to his hat, with foliate tail; hybrid man lifting hat from his head with left hand, with bird feet and foliate tail; and winged hybrid man with vine scroll tail. Gold geometric ornament at each corner of miniature.