Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, between 1230 and 1239
MS M.92 fol. 112v

See more information »

1) Virgin Mary: Birth -- With her veiled head resting on her right arm, Anna reclines on draped bed, before midwife holding swaddled, nimbed infant Virgin Mary; curtains draped to sides. Scene with gold background, within decorated initial F.
2) Heraclius: Scene, bringing Cross to Jerusalem -- Crowned Emperor Heraclius, holding cross, as horseman, advances toward city of Jerusalem; nimbed angel raises right hand, standing on closed city gates. Scene with gold background, within decorated initial D.
3) Anthony Abbot the Great: Scene, Raven bringing Food (?), and Paul the Hermit: Scene, Raven bringing Food (?) -- In caves, Anthony Abbot the Great and Paul the Hermit, both nimbed, hold books and gesture toward bird holding food in its beak, descending from clouds above. Error for Cornelius and Cyprian. Scene with gold background, beside decorated initial I formed by animal.
4) Evangelist Matthew, nimbed, sits on bench, writing with pen and knife on scroll on lectern, beside scrinium. Scene with gold background, within decorated initial B.
5) Maurice of Agaunum: Scene, Martyrdom -- Male executioner raises sword high in his right hand, and with his left hand grasps head of Maurice of Agaunum, raising hands, beside members of Theban Legion, all kneeling. Scene with gold background, within decorated initial D.
Line endings of fish, dog, and abstract penwork on page.