Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 40r

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Upper vignette:
Christ: Baptism -- Dove of Holy Ghost descends on rays from clouds toward head of Christ, rays as nimbus, nude, standing in river Jordan, with joined hands raised. He is flanked by figure holding garment and John Baptist, nimbed, wearing garment of skins, with left hand extended and with right hand holding bowl over head of Christ. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Moses: crossing Red Sea -- Group of Israelites, two wearing hats, only tops of heads of others visible, stand behind horned Moses, with right forefinger raised and with rod held in left hand. In background, men and horses are in sea. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignettes reads, PAR PHARAON QUI FUT NOYE EN LA MER ROUGE EST APPROUUE QUE TOUT PECHIE EST NETTORE ET PAR SAINT BAPTESME LAUE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, inhabited by bird and by hybrid man, wearing hat and leaning on hand crutches.