Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Claude Molé
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS M.356 fol. 63r

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Personification of Death, as skeleton with gaping hole in abdomen exposing ribs, raises arrow in right hand, holds two arrows in left hand, and stands on crowned king, with eyes opened, bleeding from head wounds, surrounded by eleven figures, mostly male, many bleeding from head wounds, and pope, wearing triple-crowned tiara and vestments, all lying on ground. Scene in rocky landscape with bridge decorated with quatrefoils and three buildings in background. Miniature within gold frame inscribed from prayer for the departed, AVETE OMNES ANIME FIDELES QVARV(M) CORPORA HIC ET VBIQ(VE) REQUIESCVNT IMPVLVERE IHESVS XPS QVI VOS REDEMIT SVO PRESSIOSISSIMO SANGVINE DIGNETVR VOS A PENIS LIBERARE ET INTER [CHOROS SVORVM SANCTORVM ANGELORVM COLLOCARE].