Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1470-1480
MS M.172 fol. 978r

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1) David: communicating with God -- David, with joined hands, kneeling on one knee looks up toward God in rayed arc of Heaven, raising right hand, holding cross surmounted globe in left hand. Before David is canopied throne on which is harp partially in sack; on canopy are statues standing on corbels. Behind him is chest on which is hat with crown.
Scene in room with windows, decorated wall and tile floor; room open to exterior
2) David: slinging at Goliath -- Outside of room, Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, reclines on ground next to sword. Youthful David stands amid sheep at feet of Goliath, raising right hand and holding sling in left hand. Angel with sword hovers above them.
Scene in landscape with trees, city, road, and rocky outcrops, all beneath blue sky.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including rose and grapevine, and inhabited by nude boy hitting crouching dog with club holding bone in mouth and by monkey holding staff with both hands, wearing collar or rope around neck, opposite man, wearing hat, with sack at waist, holding the staff with right hand and the rope with left hand.