Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Warburg hours
Belgium, Antwerp, between 1460 and 1470
MS M.1178. Fol. 020v

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, holding scepter in left hand, partly kneeling, extending right hand in blessing toward Virgin Mary, nimbed, with wrists crossed on breast, kneeling on cushion before draped prie-dieu, on which is open book with pseudo-inscriptions. Above her, Dove of Holy Ghost descends amid rays. Vase of lilies in foreground.
Scene in interior resembling Gothic church, with tripartite division of walls, arcades, columns, and carved choir screen; tiled floor.
Miniature within arched gold frame decorated with knotted interlace for beginning of Hours of the Virgin at Matins.
Margins decorated with floreate and foliate decoration, including daisies and columbines, and inhabited by hybrid woman with cat-like body, wearing headdress, crouching, and looking at reflection in mirror (upper left) and a bas-de-page decoration of recumbent white hart.