Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1500
MS M.175 fol. 76r

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Miniature:
David and Bathsheba: Bathsheba bathing -- At left, surrounded by group of figures, David, wearing hat, stands with arms crossed, leaning on draped window sill and looks toward nude Bathsheba, wearing turban type of headdress, holding diaphanous cloth across her body. In courtyard surrounded by buildings on three sides, she is standing in bath with lion head drain on side; garment is on ground next to bath. Behind her, on porch, three men, wearing hats, look on.
Margin, lower:
1) David: beheading Goliath -- Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, with mace at his side, reclines on ground. David, wearing hat, raising saber over his left shoulder stands over Goliath.
Scene in landscape with buildings in background.
2) David: communicating with God -- David, wearing fur lined mantle, kneels with hands joined; crown is on ground before him, and harp behind him. He looks up toward bust of God, rays as nimbus, in arc of Heaven, at left. Angel hovers between them, raising sword with right hand and holding scepter with left hand.
Scene before opening in room with windows and decorated wall.