Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1465-1475
MS M.1055 fol. 59r

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Christ: Flight into Egypt -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, is seated sideways on ass, looking at and holding swaddled Christ Child, crossed nimbus. Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hood, carrying draped staff over right shoulder, and crutch with left hand, walks at head of the bridled ass. At left, soldier, wearing armor, with sword at waist, holding spear (?) over right shoulder, extends left hand to man sowing seed in field. Sack is on ground next to them. Behind them is field of grain. At right idol falls from pedestal.
Scene in landscape with trees, hills and crenellated wall pierced by towers in background.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including rose and inhabited by man crouching with another smaller man doing a handstand on back of first man.