Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Poitiers, ca. 1450
MS M.190 fol. 58v

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Miniature:
Christ: Deposition --Christ, cross-nimbed, in loin cloth, blood issuing from wounds, is lowered by male figure on ladder into linen shroud held by Joseph of Arimethea, wearing pointed headgear, standing on stool. Below, Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, veiled, holds right hand of the Christ to her cheek, and Evangelist John, decorated nimbus, with hands clasped at breast, looks away. Behind them are another apostle and two veiled holy women, all with decorated nimbi. Mary Magdelen, decorated nimbus, embraces base of the cross. At right, Nicodemus extracts nail from Christ's feet with pincers, beside male figure holding two nails, and another male figure holding ladder. Scene in naturalistic landscape with hills in background.
Margins:
Decorative borders composed of naturalistic foliate design of tendrils and flowering plants.