Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 70r

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Shepherds: Annunciation -- Shepherd, hat on his back, arms crossed around pedum, stands crossing left leg over right; shepherdess dances with another shepherd, wearing headgear; shepherd, sitting on ground, raises right hand and holds bagpipe in left hand. All look up toward angel, amid rays, emerging from top of frame. Dog is in foreground. In background are sheep amid trees and on hills with two other shepherds. City in distance.
Margins, within circle of foliage (from top to bottom):
1) Man, probably shepherd, hat on back, holding staff with left hand, kneeling on one knee, shading eyes with right hand and looking toward angel in miniature.
2) Man, probably shepherd, wearing headgear, with joined hands raised, kneeling on ground looking up toward angel in miniature.
3) Man, probably shepherd, wearing hood, holding staff in left hand, raising right hand, stands looking up toward rays above his head.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament inhabited by birds, including heron and owl.