Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1460
M.387 fol. 239v

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, right hand on breast, holding open book on lap with left hand, is seated on canopied throne, looking at the book. Next to her is vase with lilies; at left is draped table on which are pitchers, jar, cup, bowl and red objects. Two angels flank half-figure of God, crossed nimbus, raising right hand in blessing, holding globe with left hand, amid rays in arc of Heaven. Dove of Holy Ghost and nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, holding cross with right arm descend on rays from God toward Mary. Scroll next to God is inscribed SALUS TUA EGO SUM ET ... TUA.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by bird. In lower margin, abutting miniature is Hell Mouth in which are nude personifications of souls of men and women, four with joined hands. Three scrolls inscribed ECCE SALUATOR TUUS ET MERCES EIUS CUM EO ET OPUS EIUS CORAM ILLO (Isaiah 62:11); RORATE CELI DESUPER ET NUBES PLUANT IUSTUM. YSAIE 4 CAPITULUM (Isaiah 45:8); UTINAM DISRU(M)PERES CELUM ET DESCENDENS. YSAIE V (Isaiah 64:1)