Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
Belgium, Bruges, mid 15th century
MS M.385. Fol. 037v

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Left column:
Virgin Mary: Consolation --Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, raising right hand, holding draped left hand to face, stands amid representations of events in life of Christ including: angel, winged, indicating with right hand blank scroll held in left hand, above inscription NAZARETH (suggesting Virgin Mary: Annunciation); heads of ass and ox above inscription BETHLEHEM (suggesting Christ: Nativity); leg with wound in foot, and chalice surmounted by host above inscription CENACULU(M) (suggesting Christ Last Supper); two trees flanking sword, and at right, two torches, above inscription ORT(US) GETSE[MANI] (suggesting Christ: in Gethsemane and Christ: Arrest); head of Christ, crossed nimbus, amid rays, hands crossed on breast; column flanked by two scourges above inscription DO(MUS) PYLATI (suggesting Christ: Flagellation); cross with titulus INRI and three nails, flanked by spear and bucket in which is reed above inscription MO(N)S CALUARIE (suggesting Christ: Crucifixion); floreate cross-staff with cross-inscribed banner standing in empty sarcophagus above inscription SEPULCH(RUM) (suggesting Christ: Resurrection); stone with two footprints above inscription MO(N)S OLIUETI (suggesting Christ: Ascension).Right column: