Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Tours, 1500-1525
MS M.31 fol. 77r

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Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child, rays as cross nimbus, reclines amid rays in manger. Virgin Mary, rays as nimbus, with joined hands raised, kneels at His feet. Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, sits at His head, holding candle (?) with left hand. In background, ox and ass are behind wattle fence. Scene is within ruined walls of shed with thatched roof. In distance, two shepherds stand on hill below angel amid rays (Shepherds: Annunciation).