Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, early 16th century
MS M.174 fol. 43v

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Miniature:
Christ: Presentation -- Beneath descending rays, Simeon, nimbed, with joined hands (?), is behind altar draped with cross-inscribed cloth. Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneels before altar holding nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, with joined hands. Behind Virgin Mary stand Joseph the Carpenter with joined hands, Anna the Prophetess, wearing headdress, holding basket with three (?) doves, and crowd of men and women, three with nimbi. Three clerics, tonsured, stand at left behind Simeon.
Scene in architectural setting with columns.
Margin, left:
Idol: falling -- Man with joined hands stands before pedestal from which idol falls.
Margin, lower:
Idol: falling -- Four men, three wearing hats, flank pedestal from which idol has fallen; feet remain on pedestal.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by fantastic animal.