Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 31r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, with peacock wings, hands raised, kneels on one knee before Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, kneeling on cushion at draped prie-dieu on which is book held by her left hand. Behind her is faldstool with cushion. Above her is dove of Holy Ghost. Scene in room with arcade and architectural ornament. Outside of room, on gold background are three angels (?) holding book, possibly singing. In upper left margin, in circle of foliage, God, nimbed, raising right hand in gesture of blessing, holding book in left hand, looks toward virgin Mary. He is surrounded by angels, two with heads surmounted by crosses, one nimbed.
Initial D with four angels, two possibly singing, one playing positive organ, and one working bellows for organ.
Margins, within circle of foliage (from top right to lower margin):
1) Virgin Mary: Visitation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, touches right arm of Elizabeth, nimbed and possibly veiled, touching, with both hands, abdomen of Virgin Mary.
2) Christ: Nativity and Christ Child: Bathing -- Midwife holds Christ Child above bath, watched by Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, reclining on canopied bed, resting head on right hand, extending left hand to Christ Child. Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, resting head on right hand, and left hand on bed, is beside bed.
3) Shepherds: Annunciation -- Amid sheep, two shepherds on ground, one crouching and shielding eyes, look up toward half figure of angel holding scroll amid rays. Scene in landscape with trees, stream, castle on rocky outcrop.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament, including strawberry and pink, and inhabited by birds, and angels playing wind instrument, harp, fiddle, and psaltery.