Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Paris, Rouen, or Tours, ca. 1520
MS M.290 fol. 15r

See more information »

Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, raising right hand, holding in left hand, scepter entwined with scroll inscribed AVE GRACIA, kneels on one knee behind Virgin Mary, nimbed. Orant, she kneels next to bench on which is open book. Above them, dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, hovers amid rays.
Scene in room decorated with architectural ornament.
Miniature enclosed in architectural frame decorated with sculptural ornament in cama³aeu including: two putti supporting foliage and vase; two addorsed fish (?); Adam, right hand covering genitals and left hand at his throat, and Eve, extending apple in right hand, and left hand holding leaf to cover genitals, flanking tree entwined with human headed serpent, Lilith (Adam and Eve: Fall of Man), fountain at left.