Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, 1480-1500
MS M.179 fol. 132r

See more information »

Description from bottom to top:
1) Christ: Parable, Lazarus and Dives -- In room with decorated walls and stone floor, Dives, wearing hat, raising right hand, and his wife, veiled, both sit on bench (?) behind draped table on which are loaves, knife, plates and bowls containing food. Before the table are two servants, wearing hats and short tunics, one carrying plate with food, the other carrying bowl. Outside of room servant indicates Lazarus, reclining on mattress (?), his hands joined. Two dogs lick his knee and foot. Above him, angel hovers, holding small nude body with raised arms. Crenellated wall is in background.
2) Group of nude women and men, three with joined hands, standing in room carved from rock (Limbo).
3) In room carved from stone, Dives, nude, indicating mouth with right hand, sitting on flames, wears collar around his neck. Two chains are attached to the collar, each pulled in opposite direction by winged devil. They are surrounded by nude figures, one tonsured with hands crossed on breast, in flames. Third winged devil, standing amid souls, raises rod; and fourth devil stands amid souls (Hell).
4) Abraham: representing Paradise -- In room carved from stone, Abraham, wearing hat is seated on bench (?), raising right hand, holding nude figure on lap. Before them a group of men, some wearing hats, one nude, one holding harp, and one holding lamb or dog, and women, some wearing hats, one nude, all look toward another man, right hand raised.
5) In room carved from stone, two angels stand in flames with nude men and women, some with joined hands, some with hands crossed on breast (Purgatory).