Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Brittany, France, ca. 1440-1450 ; Paris, France, ca. 1500-1510
MS M.117 fol. 106v

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Legend, Dance of Death -- Pope, wearing triple papal tiara and cross-inscribed chausuble, stands with hands raised as skeleton (Personification of Death), raises club in both hands.
Four vignettes in left and lower margins:
1) Death, as partially-draped skeleton, puts left hand on shoulder of Holy Roman Emperor, wearing imperial crown, holding raised sword in right hand and cross-surmounted globe in left hand.
2) Cardinal stands beside Death, as skeleton, with hands on left shoulder of the Cardinal.
3) King, wearing crown and ermine-trimmed coat, turns away from Death, as partially-draped skeleton, extending arms to the neck of the King.
4) Death, as skeleton, holds spear in right hand before soldier, wearing helmet, with sheath belted at waist, holding sword in right hand and shield in left hand.
Right margin with foliate ornament.