Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 26v

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Column miniature:
Christ: before Pilate and Pilate: washing Hands -- Group of soldiers, wearing armor, most with only tops of heads visible, seven possibly holding spears, stand behind Christ, rays as nimbus, wearing crown of thorns, his hands crossed, before Pilate, wearing hat, seated on throne beneath canopy, washing his hands with basin and pitcher held by servant. Scene in room.
Upper vignette:
Eleazar the Scribe: Martyrdom (II Maccabees 06:18) -- Eleazar the Scribe, wearing hat, with raised hands, turns his head away from man, wearing hat, who holds plate upon which is meat. Scene in front of buildings.
Lower vignette:
Eleazar the Scribe: Martyrdom (II Maccabees 06:30-31) -- Two executioners, one wearing hat, raising clubs in their right hands above their heads, stand facing Eleazar the Scribe, wearing long loin cloth, hands bound to column. Scene in room.
Caption between vignettes reads, LE BON HO(M)ME PLAI(N) DE VERTU MENGIER CHAIR DE PORC NE D'AIGNA DONT A LA TACHE FUT BATU TELLEME(N)T QUE SES IOURS FINA.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including violas and grapevines, and inhabited by bird and by fantastic animal.