Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita Christi (Life of Christ)
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1487-1490
MS M.894 fol. 202r

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Christ: prophesying Antichrist -- three scenes, in narrative sequence from right to left:
1) Antichrist: distributing Gifts -- Five men, wearing hats, some gesturing, one with staff, stand flanking Antichrist, wearing pointed hat with jewel, gesturing to men with left hand and pointing with right hand at three men before him, two with mattocks, one of them offering platter of gold coins to Antichrist, both standing in pool of gold coins, with the third man, wearing pouch at waist, bending forward to lift cauldron full of coins.
2) Antichrist: Persecution of the Faithful -- Three men, wearing hats, stand behind Antichrist, wearing pointed hat with jewel, gesturing, standing and witnessing torture of three men, the first wearing hose, standing bound to tree while two men beat him, one with bundle of switches, one with scourge. Second Faithful man, wearing loincloth, crouching, is bound to same tree. Third Faithful man, wearing loincloth, feet bound, reclines on ground and is beaten by man with scourge.
3) Antichrist: Fall -- In background at right, six men, wearing hats, witness destruction of Antichrist, kneeling, with arms raised to protect head, pelted with thunderbolts (?) issuing from clouds of Heaven (?), all on mount.
Scene in landscape including city, river, trees, and rocks.
Illustration of Matthew 24:05-16; Mark 13:06-22; Luke 21:08-24.