Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.390 fol. 169v

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Christ: Piet³l -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, sits before tau cross with titulus and holds in her lap body of Christ, with rays as nimbus, wearing short loin cloth, with eyes closed, bleeding from wounds. Flanking Mary are Evangelist John, nimbed, with right hand on Christ's side; Joseph of Arimathea (?), clasping his hat to his breast with both hands; and Mary Magdalen, nimbed, wearing turban-like headdress, kneeling, holding ointment jar in right hand and Christ's hand in her left hand. Scene in landscape, with crosses and bare trees on distant hill.
Margins with architectural frame, rendered in perspective, with interior of chapel in left and lower margins. In left margin is draped altar, with carved retable, bookstand, and chalice. On side wall is escutcheon with arms of Jean Carondelet (azure a fasce and six bezants or en orle, an archiepiscopal cross in pale beneath the shield), with the initials IC. On floor of chapel and extending into lower margins are steps, upon which are Instruments of the Passion, including lantern, crown of thorns, moneybag, coins, and nails (Instruments continue on facing page).