Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of hours
France, probably Rouen, ca. 1470
MS M.32 fol. 6v

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Margin, upper: Personification of Vice, Anger, inscribed IRE, is represented by man, wearing hat, with sword in right hand piercing himself in breast, accompanied by winged, horned devil with claw feet. Figures stand in room with four arched windows, decorative wall and tiled floor. Arched vignette within block border of floreate decoration, including daisies. Margin, lower: Abraham: sacrificing Isaac -- Beneath stars, angel, with left hand raised, stays sword of Abraham, name inscribed ABRAHAM, looking back and extending left hand to shoulder of Isaac, blindfolded, with joined hands raised, kneeling on slab of rock. In left foreground, ram appears in profile (suggesting link with Zodiac Sign: Aries). Scene in hilly landscape with trees and water beyond. Square vignette within block border of floreate and foliate decoration, including grapes. Block border at left margin of floreate and foliate decoration, including thistles and currants.