Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
England, perhaps Cambridge, ca. 1320
MS M.107 fol. 23r

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, veiled, reclining on bed, extends hands to swaddled infant Christ Child, held by midwife, veiled. Beside the midwife is Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, with right hand to his face and holding crutch in left hand. Ox and ass flank trough in foreground. Scene in initial P.
Jesse: Tree -- Border composed of bands of foliate ornament representing Tree of Jesse, with Jesse reclining in center of lower margin, with Virgin Mary, crowned, holding Christ Child, nimbed, with right hand raised; crowned ancestors on sides, including David, holding harp; and Christ, nimbed, showing wounds, partially draped in mantle, with right hand indicating raised left hand, seated on arc with feet on tripartite globe, at top center flanked by angels.