Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 213v

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross-nimbed, wearing short loin cloth, bleeding from wounds, is affixed with three nails to cross with titulus inscribed INRI. Mary Magdalen, nimbed, kneels and embraces cross, at base of which is skull. To left stand Virgin Mary, with joined hands, and two Holy Women, all nimbed and veiled. To right stands Evangelist John, nimbed, gesturing toward the Christ. Scene in landscape with mountains and distant city.
In margins are gems and foliate ornament. In left margin within medallion is nimbed prophet, pointing with right hand toward the Christ and holding scroll in left hand. Cherub stands on the medallion. Below are two birds and two cherubs seated on dolphins. In upper margin, two cherubs flank and hold medallion inscribed YHS. In right margin within medallion is nimbed prophet, holding scroll in left hand. Standing on top of medallion is cherub. Below is a bird and a cherub seated on dolphin.
In lower margin:
Christ: Betrayal and Arrest -- Judas embraces Christ, cross-nimbed, before group of helmeted soldiers with torches. At left, Peter, nimbed kneels on ground and grasps head of prone figure, probably Malchus. Scene in landscape at night with stars.