Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Northern France or Flanders, ca. 1460
MS M.194 fol. 44v

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Miniature:
Christ: Nativity -- Rays of light descend through hole of roof of shed on nude Christ Child lying on folds of drapery before Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, kneeling with hands raised before Him. Joseph the Carpenter, wearing gloves, partly kneeling, raises right hand to head and holds staff in left hand. Tapestry hangs behind the Virgin. Two birds on the roof of the shed. Scene with starred heaven and landscape in background.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floral ornament. In lower margin, three half-figured angels, one wingless, hold scroll inscribed with musical notation.