Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
Germany, probably Nuremberg, between 1350 and 1400
MS M.140 fol. 29v

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Left column:
Christ: Bewailing -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, embraces body of Christ, crossed nimbus, eyes shut, wounds visible, wearing loincloth, reclining on tomb. She is flanked by Evangelist John, nimbed, and by two Holy Women, nimbed and veiled, one with joined hands, the other raising arms. Man, probably Joseph of Arimathea, kneels in foreground before the tomb, holding and kissing right hand of Christ.
Caption, MARIA PLANXIT SUP(ER) EXEQ(UI)AS FILII SUI, is inscribed above miniature.
Right column:
David: mourning for Abner -- At left David, name inscribed DAUID, crowned, holds left hand to face. He looks toward draped body of Abner, inscribed ABNER DEFU(N)CT(US) carried on shoulders of four men.
Caption, DAUID PLANXIT SUP(ER) EXEQ(UI)AS ABNER. DIX(IT) IGNORATIS QUAM P(RI)NCEPS ET MAXIM(US) CECIDIT HODIE IN ISR(AE)L, is inscribed above miniature.