Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1480
MS M.131 fol. 70r

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Miniature:
Pentecost -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneels at draped prie-dieu on which is open book. She is flanked by twelve apostles, all nimbed, seven with joined hands, one orant and with book on lap. Five look up toward dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, hovering amid flames.
Scene in room with vaulted ceiling, windows, decorated wall, and tile floor.
Margin, right:
Apostle, Peter: Holy Ghost falling on Gentiles -- Flames descend from top of miniature. Apostle, nimbed, and Peter (?), nimbed, orant, looking upward, stand facing three men, wearing hats, the foremost wearing garment lined with vair, and looking toward Peter.
Margin, lower:
Stephen Protomartyr: Ordination (?) -- Stephen (?) nimbed, orant, kneels looking up toward dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, in arc of Heaven, amid flames. In foreground two apostles, nimbed, kneel looking up, one with joined hands raised, and the other orant. At left, other apostles, only five visible, all nimbed, one orant, another with joined hands, look from building. Buildings in background.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament inhabited by birds, including one hovering above fantastic animal.