Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Egmont breviary
Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440
MS M.87 fol. 401v

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Miniature, column, left: Ursula of Cologne: Scene, Massacre of Ursula and Virgins -- Beneath cloudy arc of heaven, in which is half figure of God, cross-nimbed, wearing cope fastened with morse, with right hand raised in blessing and with left hand holding tripartite globe, and flanked by half figures of angels and women, some embracing nude souls, Ursula of Cologne, nimbed, and at least four other nimbed Virgins; cardinal, wearing cardinal’s hat and vestments; pope, wearing triple-crowned papal tiara; and mitered bishop, all nimbed, most with wounds on heads or one, possibly the Ursula, pierced with arrow; all among three soldiers, wearing full armor, raising scimitars, and in ship on river. On foreground shore, among three male attackers wearing armor, two helmetted, one raising sword, one aiming arrow in bow and one raising scimitar. On far, hilly shore, shepherd playing bagpipe amid flock of five sheep and horseman, wearing hat, riding before crenellated city buildings; gold sky. Miniature at beginning of Antiphon and continuing to Collect for Feast of Massacre of the Eleven Thousand Virgins (10.21). Initial D enclosing half figure of man, wearing hat over hood, with right hand raised, at beginning of Collect. Margins decorated on three sides with scrolling floreate and foliate decoration, including strawberry, inhabited by two half figures of angels, gesturing, emerging out of clouds (left); and half figures of men, wearing hats, and with hands raised, amid foliage (lower).