Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire de la Bible et de l’Assomption de Notre-Dame
France, Paris, between 1390 and 1400
MS M.526. Fol. 029r

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Christ: Nativity -- In left column, Virgin Mary, nimbed, seated in draped bed with pillow at back, lifts right breast to mouth of infant Christ Child, crossed nimbus, swaddled. Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, wearing hat, leaning with both hands on crutch, is seated on circular chair next to foot of the bed.
Shepherds: Annunciation -- In right column, one of two shepherds, holding pedum with right hand, gesturing with left hand, is seated on ground; the other shepherd, wearing hood, raising right hand, holding pedum with left hand stands at right. Both look up toward angel, nimbed, flying above, gesturing with right hand, holding blank scroll with left hand. Shepherds are in landscape amid sheep, one looking up toward the angel.