Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
England, Oxford, ca. 1220
MS M.791 fol. 318r

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1) Jesse: Tree -- At bottom of ascender, Jesse reclines with head on cushion, right hand on face. Vine growing up from his groin encloses David, crowned, holding harp with both hands, seated on cushioned bench, another male figure, crowned, seated, and at top, Virgin Mary, veiled and crowned, holding object in raised right hand, seated on cushioned bench with Christ Child, cross-nimbed, raising right hand, on her lap.
2) To right of Jesse is Evangelist Matthew, tonsured, holding quill in raised right hand, and knife in left hand, on scroll over lapdesk in which are inkhorn and three objects. His left foot rests on dragon.
Scene against background of gold within initial L partially formed by fantastic animal and decorated with foliate ornament and fantastic animals.
Beginning of Matthew.