Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 18v

See more information »

Evangelist Mark, decorated nimbus, wearing turban type of headgear, is seated on chair with desk, holding quill with right hand and scroll draped over top of desk with left hand. Next to him is table on which are two books, pitcher and stand with lamp. Evangelist symbol (lion) stands at end of table. Scene in vaulted room with leaded glass window and windows with shutters.
Margins, within circle of foliage (from top to bottom):
1) Evangelist, Mark: preaching -- Mark, gesturing with right hand, stands in draped pulpit looking down.
2) Two men wearing knotted headgear, one with joined hands raised, and the other with hands on breast, look up toward Mark.
3) Christ, cross-nimbed, raising right hand, looks toward Mark, orant, seated on draped chair with desk over which scroll hangs.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament including rose, columbine, strawberry, and iris, and inhabited by pheasant, other birds and man wearing knotted headgear emerging from flower, raising sword with left hand and holding bird by feet with right hand; reverse image of centaur on recto of this folio.