Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Historien Bibel
Germany, between 1375 and 1400
MS M.268 fol. 23v

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Upper half: Joachim and Anna: at Golden Gate -- At left, nimbed angel joins right hands of Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, and Virgin Mary, wearing wimpled veil, with left hand raised, all before crenellated Golden Gate. Anna: Annunciation -- At right, accompanied by female attendant, with right hand gathering garment, Anna, both with wimpled veils and looking up, with joined hands raised, before half figure of nimbed angel, emerging from cloudy arc of heaven, with right hand raised in blessing and with left arm slung with crown. Scene in landscape with two trees. Lower half: Virgin Mary: Birth and Coronation -- At left, Anna, veiled with wimple, seated in draped bed, partly supported by pillows and before curtain hung from rod. She extends her hands toward infant Virgin Mary, crown lowered to head by arms on bust of angel emerging from cloud, supported in extended arms of midwife, veiled with wimple, beside Joachim, wearing hat and belted purse, with joined hands raised. Virgin Mary: Presentation -- At right, accompanied by man, wearing hat and purse tied to belt with joined hands raised, and two female attendants, wearing wimpled veils, the foremost carrying basket of doves, Anna, veiled with wimple, partly supporting youthful Virgin Mary, crowned, with joined hands raised, standing on altar before High Priest, wearing miter, with hands extended. All scenes from the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew.