Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Egmont breviary
Netherlands, Utrecht, ca. 1440
MS M.87 fol. 430r

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1) Virgin Mary: Presentation -- Joachim (only head visible), accompanies Anna, nimbed, wearing wimpled veil, supporting with both hands youthful Virgin Mary, nimbed, with right hand extended to left hand of Abiathar, wearing miter and high priest’s vestments. At far right, possibly another youthful Virgin Mary, nimbed, standing in doorway. Scene in room of temple with vaulted ceiling and tiled floor, within initial C at beginning of Compline, Hours of the Virgin. 2) Virgin Mary: Espousal -- Anna, nimbed, veiled and wimpled accompanying Virgin Mary, nimbed, wearing fillet, and Joseph the Carpenter, wearing belted purse hung with beads, both joining extended right hands with wrists grasped by hands of High Priest, wearing miter and vestments. In right background, three men, possibly including Joachim, and flying dove, possibly dove of Holy Ghost. Scene in room with three arched windows and tiled floor, within initial S at beginning of Votive Mass of the Virgin. Margins decorated on three sides with scrolling floreate and foliate decoration, including strawberry, inhabited by hybrid man, wearing hat over hood, with body of lion (upper); man, wearing hat, with right hand on shield and with left hand on spear (right); and monkey (lower).