Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
France, ca. 1511
MS M. 8 fol. 126r

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Christ: Ascension -- Lower portion of garment and feet of Christ, showing wounds, are visible above hill with two footprints. Below, Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled with wimple, orant, and some of crowd of nimbed men and women, including apostles and Holy Women (?) look up. Some, only nimbi are visible. In lower margin, escutcheon decorated with heraldry of Guy de Castelnau-Bretenoux (quarterly 1 and 4 gules a castle with 3 towers; 2 and 3 azure a lion argent) surmounted by a black papal prothonotary’s hat from which hang tassels. Crozier behind the escutcheon. All flanked by curtains. Initial D enclosing rose. All enclosed by camaieu architectural frame of two decorated columns supporting lintel. In niches at top of the columns, statues of angels with joined hands, looking toward the miniature. Text is chapter for Vespers on the vigil of the Ascension.