Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, perhaps in Mons, ca. 1450-1460
MS M.104 fol. 69v

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Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, holds in her lap nude Christ Child, nimbed, with right hand raised in blessing toward kneeling magus, possibly holding left arm of the Christ Child and with right hand extending covered vessel. Beside him on ground is crown. Beside the Virgin Mary stands Joseph, holding his hat (?) in his hands. Behind the kneeling magus stand the other two magi, both wearing sabers sheathed at waist and holding covered vessels; one magus is wearing crown and the other removes his crown with his left hand. Scene before shed with stone wall and thatched roof with dormer. Inside is cloth curtain. Star above emanates one ray toward the Christ Child. In distant background is outline of buildings and windmill. Rays emanate from right side of arch of miniature.
Margins with ivy-rinceaux, floreate, and vinescroll ornament. Baguettes with interlace patterns in left, lower, and right margins. In medallion in left margin is stork (?), standing with left leg lifted and bending head toward ground. In lower margin are two birds, including one with head tucked behind extended left wing.