Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Historien Bibel
Germany, between 1375 and 1400
MS M.268 fol. 32v

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Upper half: Christ: Harrowing of Hell -- At left, Christ, cross-nimbed, with right hand holding cross-inscribed bannered cross-staff, with left hand grasping left wrist of Adam beside Eve, with joined hands raised, both nude, emerging from cave amid flames, the Adam stepping over broken door under which is trampled devil; four other busts of devils emerge from the rock, with hands raised. Holy Women: at Sepulcher -- At right, angel, nimbed, extending shroud and seated on side of sarcophagus, its lid leaning on its side in foreground. To right, one of three Holy Women, nimbed and veiled with wimples, the foremost extending covered jar with left hand and with right hand raised. Lower half: Christ: noli me tangere -- At left, Mary Magdalen, nimbed, veiled with wimple, with joined hands raised, kneeling beside ointment jar before Christ, cross-nimbed, partly draped in mantle showing wounds in hand and side, with left hand holding cross-inscribed bannered cross-staff, both before circular garden enclosed by wattled fence. Christ: appearing in Jerusalem -- In center, Christ as pilgrim, cross-nimbed, wearing broad-rimmed hat, with left hand on pilgrim’s staff and with right hand extended toward one of three apostles, possibly Apostle Peter, all entering through arched doorway at right. Apostle, Thomas: Incredulity -- At right, Christ, cross-nimbed, with right hand raised and with left hand raised in blessing, His wound in right side touched by right hand of Apostle Thomas, nimbed, with left hand raised.