Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, possibly the Veneto, ca. 1425-1450
MS M.1089 fol. 42r

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Virgin Mary: Birth -- Within initial D, in foreground, midwife is seated holding infant Virgin Mary, nimbed, swaddled. Anna, wearing headdress, reclines on draped bed. Tub containing water is next to bed. Another midwife stands at far side of the bed.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament and inhabited by bird and peacock. In right margin, one of three putti, seated in landscape enclosed in floreate medallion, another, nimbed, straddling flower and third astride duck enclosed in floreate medallion.