Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
Italy, Rome, ca. 1520
MS M.1023. Fol. 032r

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Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, sits holding nude Christ Child in her lap. Beside her is Joseph the Carpenter, hooded, with right hand raised. Before them is eldest Magus, kneeling, holding vessel in right hand and extending left hand toward the Christ Child. His crown is on ground beside him. Behind him is middle-aged Magus, wearing crown, holding vessel in right hand, and youngest Magus, black, wearing crown, holding vessel with both hands. Scene is in front of shed with broken arch and column at right, in landscape setting.
Margins are decorated with foliate border. In upper margin, medallion enclosing head of man wearing fillet decorated with crescent; in left margin, medallion enclosing head of king, crowned; in right margin medallion enclosing head of youthful man wearing hat with crown. In lower margin, medallion enclosing pearls and gems, flanked by seated deer.