Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1500
MS M.220 fol. 45r

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Christ: Nativity -- Christ Child, nude, with crossed nimbus, emanating rays, lays on ground with right hand raised, flanked by Virgin Mary, nimbed, and Joseph the Carpenter, both kneeling with joined hands raised. In background, beneath roof of half-timbered shed with holes in thatched roof, are ox and ass; three angels kneeling before brocade cloth of honor with joined hands raised; and three men witnessing scene from behind wattle fence, including one wearing hat and one wearing hood. Distant landscape with tree and city visible beyond them.
Below in margin:
Moses: communicating with God -- God, nimbed, as half figure in treetops, appears to Moses, horned, with right hand raised, removing his right shoe, seated on ground beside other shoe and three sheep. Scene in landscape with trees.
Miniature and margin enclosed in architectural frame with decorated columns.