Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Tours, ca. 1500
MS M.12 fol. 38r

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Christ: bearing Cross -- Christ, with crossed rayed nimbus, carries tau cross over left shoulder. Beside him stands helmeted soldier with goad. Behind Christ walk Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled; Mary Magdalen, nimbed; and helmeted soldiers.
Miniature enclosed in frame with geometric and foliate patterns and inscribed AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA.
In vignette in right margin:
Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, with crossed rays as nimbus, wearing crown of thorns and short loin cloth, is affixed with three nails to tau cross. Flanking the cross are Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with joined hands, and Evangelist John, nimbed, with arms crossed on breast. Behind cross are helmeted soldiers with spears.
In vignette in lower margin:
Christ: Deposition -- Body of Christ, with crossed rays as nimbus, wearing short loin cloth, lays on cloth supported by two men, possibly Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both wearing hats. Beside the Christ are three nimbed women, including Virgin Mary, veiled; another of the women is also veiled (Holy Women ?). Evangelist John, nimbed, stands beside Virgin Mary. Other figures in background witness scene.
Margins executed in cama³aeu.