Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 221r

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Pentecost -- Historiated initial D enclosing two nimbed apostles, kneeling with joined hands raised toward dove of Holy Ghost, emitting tongues of flame, descending on rays from heaven. Scene in landscape with distant trees and mountains.
In margins are gems amid foliate ornament. In left margin in vignette is nimbed prophet, holding scroll in right hand, shown in profile. Above and below are standing cherubs. In upper margin is quatrefoil inscribed VIRGO. In right margin is vignette of nimbed figure, possibly apostle, shown in profile. Above and below are cherubs. In lower margin, in vignette, is nimbed man, possibly Evangelist, pointing with right hand toward book held in left arm. Vignette flanked and held by two cherubs.