Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1520
MS M.632 fol. 52v

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Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child lying in gold mandorla on mantle of Virgin Mary, nimbed, hands clasped, kneeling, next to Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, standing holdng lantern in right hand and resting left hand on walking stick. At right are ass and ox. Scene within deteriorating stone shed with hay racks on wall, beneath thatched roof. Three shepherds, two wearing hats, one wearing hood, each holding staff or pedum, look through large hole in wall. In background, landscape with buildings and windmill.
Miniature of grisaille and gold with painted accents, within Italianate architectural frame decorated with foliate capitals, animal heads, animal masks holding foliate garland, horns and foliate ornament.