Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, 1485-1500
MS M.195 fol. 124r

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies and Death, Scene: Struggle for Soul -- Beneath canopy man, wearing headgear, reclines on draped bed, head on cushion, eyes closed, hands crossed on abdomen. Above him, winged devil, being struck by processional cross held by angel, reaches toward soul, held by left hand of the angel. Soul reaches toward Christ, rays as cross nimbus, orant, in window amid rays. At far side of bed are priest, tonsured, holding aspergil with right hand and with left hand, cross-surmounted reliquary or pyx shaped like building. Acolyte, tonsured, holding processional cross, stands next to him. On near side of bed sit woman, veiled, with hands joined, and friar, tonsured, reading book on lap. At foot of bed is draped table or chest on which is ciborium surmounted by cross.
Scene in room with windows below arches supported by columns.
Lower Margin:
Scene, Liturgical: Burial -- Man, wearing hat, stands in grave holding body sewn into shroud. Beside grave stands acolyte, tonsured, holding processional cross (?) in right hand and situla with left hand. At foot of grave is priest wearing cope, holding aspergil with right hand and book with left hand. Behind him are group of men (?).
Scene in walled cemetary with grave marker.