Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Paris, ca. 1475
MS S.5 fol. 64r

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneels with joined hands raised before nude infant Christ Child, laying on cloud (?), showered with rays from star (?) above. Opposite Mary kneels Joseph the Carpenter, holding hat in right hand and crutch in left hand. Beside Mary lay ox and ass, under roof of shed. Two shepherds observe scene from beyond low stone wall. Castle and trees in background.
Margins with foliate ornament, inhabited by wild man, aiming bow and arrow.