Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, ca. 1495
M.305 fol. 228v

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Miniature:
Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, crossed nimbus, wearing loincloth, is affixed with three nails to cross with suppadaneum and titulus INRI. Sun and moon flank top of cross; skull is at base. Virgin Mary, veiled with wimple and Evangelist John, both nimbed, with clasped hands, stand to left and right of cross.
Margins:
1) Bird: Pelican in her Piety -- Medallion enclosing pelican, wings spread, pecking breast in nest with three or four young.
2) Vignette with bust of man, nimbed, with joined hands, turned toward crucifixion in miniature.
3) Medallion enclosing figure, probably Empress Helena, nimbed, wearing hat, with veil and wimple, holding cross with right hand and book with left hand.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by winged putti heads; masks; putti; fish; birds; putti with bodies terminating in foliage; putti raising torches with one hand, astride fish; camaïeu mask and fish.