Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Spain, perhaps Burgos or Segovia, 1465-1480
MS M.854 fol. 199v

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Bernard of Clairvaux: Scene, Victory over the Devil (forcing the devil to recite psalms ?) -- Bernard, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk's habit, with right hand on breast, sits on chair at desk and holds book with pseudo-inscription open with left hand. Beside Bernard stands devil, with bat wings and second face on breast, touching book with left hand. Also on table are bowl, lectern with open book with pseudo-inscription, and lantern; in compartment in base of table are closed book and flask. Scene in room with timbered ceiling, groin vault, and cabinent containing two books and flask.
Miniature enclosed in frame inscribed DESTERA DOMINI FECIT UIRTUTEM DESTERA DOMINI EXALTAUIT ME (sic).
Amid foliate ornament in margins are four birds; peacock facing fox; partially draped man, standing and holding object, possibly net or scepter; and bare-legged man, wearing hat, seated and playing harp held on his lap.
Miniature and ornament executed in grisaille and gold tones with color accents.