Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1460
MS M.972 fol. 130v

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Miniature:
David: in Prayer -- David, wearing crown on hat, fur lined garment and purse at waist, kneels with joined hands next to scepter and harp, at base of three steps atop which is draped altar below dome, supported by two colonnetes and stone wall. Candlestick, chalice, and open book are on the altar, behind which is reredos decorated with crucifixion, above which hangs canopy. Half-figure of angel, raising right hand, holding sword with left hand appears next to the dome.
Landscape with hills, trees and buildings in background.
Vignette:
Christ: Last Judgment -- Christ, crossed nimbus, wearing crown of thorns, showing wounds, mantle partially covering his body, is seated on arc, His feet on globe, possibly tripartite. He is flanked above by half-figures of two angels, on clouds, playing trumpets. Below, faces of four souls, one possibly tonsured, peer out from graves.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including strawberries and thistle, and inhabited by half-figure of angel wearing fillet, emerging from flower, playing drums.