Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
France, ca. 1511
MS M. 8 fol. 190r

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David: communicating with God -- David, nimbed and crowned, wearing armor, with sword at waist, with joined hands, kneels next to harp. He is looking up toward half-figure of God, crossed nimbus, crowned, raising right hand in blessing, holding globe with left hand, emerging from cloud. Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including cornflower, bladder cherry, grapes, campanula, daisy, and thistle, and inhabited by winged hybrid man raising sword with both hands, and by hybrid animal with single horn. Text is beginning of Psalm 1, first Nocturn, in Matins for Sunday.