Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Langres, ca. 1465
MS G.55 fol. 53v

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Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child, nimbed, right hand raised, lying amid rays on bed, is flanked by Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneeling on bed, and by Joseph the Carpenter, with joined hands, walking stick behind his left arm, kneeling on ground. Behind them ass and ox (only heads visible) stand at manger. Scene within shed. Above, sun emits rays, some of which shine through hole in roof onto Christ Child. Landscape in background.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament, including grapevine and strawberry, and inhabited by bird and rabbit. In lower margin, heraldic shield of Pierre Bosredont (quarterly, vair and gules).