Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1450
MS M.1020 fol. 35r

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Miniature:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneels before prie-dieu, opposite Archangel Gabriel holding wth right hand scroll inscribed AVE GRACIA PLENA DOMINUS, and indicating the scroll with left hand. Vase containing stem of lilies is between them.
Scene in illusionistic church; draped altar with retable, flanked by curtains at left.
Margins, top to bottom:
1) Virgin Mary: Presentation -- Anna, nimbed and veiled with wimple, with joined hands, stands behind Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneeling before draped altar with reredos and flanked by side curtains.
2) Joachim and Anna: at Golden Gate -- Anna, nimbed and veiled with wimple (?) and Joachim, wearing hat, embrace before city gate flanked by two towers, set in city wall.
3) Virgin Mary: Life in Temple, fed by Angel -- Angel, holding loaf (?) kneels before Virgin Mary, nimbed, holding shuttle (?) with right hand, seated on cushioned bench at loom.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including daisy, grapevine and strawberry and thistle.