Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Diurnal of Isabelle de Bourbon
France, Amiens, ca. 1455
MS M.221 fol. 55v

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Christ: Entry into Jerusalem -- Accompanied by nimbed and tonsured Apostle Peter, holding book and possibly nimbed Evangelist John (partly visible), Christ, cross-nimbed, wearing long purple robe, is mounted on bridled ass, with left hand holding reins and right hand raised in blessing toward group of three, all emerging from crenellated city gate of Jerusalem, including one bearded man, wearing turban-like headgear, spreading two garments beneath the asses hooves, one woman, wearing headdress and one man (partly visible), the latter two raising foliate branches. Above in tree, youthful male, wearing short tunic, grasps foliate branch. Scene on path in landscape with city in hilly background. Margin, left: Mask issuing from foliate ornament above dove with its head turned back. Margin, center: Fleur-de-lis amid foliate ornament. Margin, lower: Hybrid animal with head and torso of cat and hindquarters of dog. Margins decorated with foliate and floreate ornament; foliate sprays issuing from vessel in lower right margin. Text is from Antiphon at beginning of Lauds on Palm Sunday.