Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 214r

See more information »

Piet³l -- Historiated initial D enclosing Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, seated at base of cross, holding in her lap body of Christ, cross-nimbed, wearing short loin cloth, showing wounds. Flanking Mary are Evangelist John, nimbed, with his hands on Christ's head, and Mary Magdalen, nimbed, holding Christ's legs.
In margins are gems and birds amid foliate ornament. In left margin in oval medallion surmounted by standing cherub is nimbed prophet, holding scroll in right hand. Below medallion is cherub seated on dolphin. In upper margin is medallion inscribed XPS, flanked and held by two cherubs. In right margin in medallion surmounted by standing cherub is nimbed prophet, with right hand on breast and holding scroll in left hand. Below are two cherubs seated on dolphins.
In lower margin:
Christ: before Pilate -- Group of armored soldiers stand behind Christ, cross-nimbed, standing before Pilate, wearing hat, holding rod, seated on raised throne with right hand raised toward Christ. Beside throne stands man wearing hat.