Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1480
MS M.253 fol. 85r

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, with crossed nimbus, wearing crown of thorns and short loin cloth, bleeding from wounds, is affixed with three nails to cross with blank titulus, flanked by sun and moon. Standing to left are Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with joined hands, and Evangelist John, nimbed, with joined hands. Standing to right are helmeted soldiers with spears, including one with shield, possibly wearing heraldic breastplate; and man, wearing hat, with right hand indicating the Christ. Skull and bone on ground at base of the cross.
Margins with floreate ornament. In lower margin is escutcheon with arms of King of France (azure three fleur-de-lis or), surmounted by a crown.