Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1515
MS M.286 fol. 15v

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, nimbed, holding scepter and drape of canopy with left hand, kneels behind Virgin Mary indicating her with right hand. Below the tent-like canopy, Virgin Mary, nimbed, holding book to breast with left hand, kneeling at prie-dieu, inclines head over right shoulder toward Gabriel. Both wear garments in grisaille. Dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, hovers above Virgin Mary, amid rays descending from half figure of God, raising right hand, holding globe with left hand in cloud edged arc of Heaven.
Scene in room decorated with architectural and sculptural ornament, with tile floor.
Miniature enclosed in architectural frame decorated with foliate ornament, two nude atlantes at capitals supporting top of frame, and one nude half figure atlante below frame amid foliage, and five half figures, one possibly with horns, and one full figure, all nude, amid foliage in pilasters in sides of frame.