Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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

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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 John Baptist, nimbed, wearing garment of skins, with right hand extended and with left hand holding bowl over head of Christ, and by figure holding garment. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Moses: Spies of Canaan -- Joshua and Caleb, wearing hats, carry bunch of grapes on pole. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignettes reads, LES EXPLORATEURS QUI PORTERENT LA GRAPE DE RAYSIN IADIS EXAMPLE (EN)TRER NO(US) DONNERENT PAR CHARITE EN PARADIS.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including cornflowers, inhabited by bird and by fantastic animal, wearing hat and leaning on hand crutches.
Dog (?) head in decorated initial Q.