Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1490
MS M.144 fol. 57r

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David: communicating with God -- David, crowned, wearing ermine-lined garment, with hands raised, looking upward, kneels before Nathan, wearing hat, holding scroll in left hand and with right hand pointing up toward angel, holding lighted candle (?) and sword (?), and God, nimbed, with right hand raised in blessing and holding cross-surmounted globe in left hand, in arc of heaven emitting rays. Beside Nathan is draped table upon which is hat. Harp on tile floor. Behind David is pinnacled architectural canopy.
Margins with floreate and vinescroll ornament, and vignettes in right and lower margins.
1) David and Bathsheba: Bathsheba bathing -- Bathsheba, nude, stands in water beneath fountain and is attended by woman, with hands clasped (?). David, wearing hat, witnessing scene from balcony above, points with left hand toward Bathsheba.
2) David: slinging at Goliath -- Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, holding shield in right hand, is struck in forehead with stone and falls to ground. David, wearing hat, holding sling in right hand and spear in left hand, stands to right. Scene in landscape.