Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1465-1475
MS M.1055 fol. 45r

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneels at feet of nude Christ Child, nimbed, reclining amid rays on ground. Joseph, wearing hood, holding candle with left hand, leaning on crutch under left arm, kneels at His head. Ass and ox are behind Mary; maidservant, wearing headdress, with joined hands, kneels in background next to wattle fence. Angel hovers above holding scroll inscribed PUER NATUS EST NOBIS ET FILIUS DATUS (Isaiah 09:06, variant).
Scene at edge of shed with hole in thatched roof, set in landscape with hills and trees, below starry sky with one large gold star.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including strawberry and dianthus, and inhabited by fantastic animal with head and neck of second animal emerging from it mouth.