Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 32r

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Upper vignette:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, raising left hand, sits beneath canopy, with open book with pseudo-inscription in her lap. Beside her, Gabriel, kneels on one knee, with left hand extended and right forefinger raised. Above is dove of Holy Ghost, surrounded by rays. Scene in room, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Gideon: Fleece -- Gideon, dressed in armor, holding sword and shield, kneels with joined hands raised, facing fleece. Above is cloud from which rain falls. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignette reads, CO(M)ME GEDEON VIT CHEORE PLUYE DESSUS SA TOUAISON JESU CRIST DESCENDIT OU VE(N)TRE MARIE PAR L'OUIRRAGE DU SAINT ESPRIT.
Snail within decorated initial O; animal heads within two decorated initial Qs.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including viola and strawberries, inhabited by fantastic animal, winged.