Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 41v

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Upper vignette:
Christ: Temptation, 1st -- Bestial horned devil, with face and tail at genitals, indicates stones on ground with right hand. At right, Christ, rays as nimbus, stands, raising left forefinger. Scene in landscape, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Adam and Eve: Fall of Man -- Female-headed serpent, entwined about tree, is flanked by Eve, extending right hand in which she holds apple, and Adam, raising right hand. Both are nude and cover their nakedness with leaves in their left hands. Scene in landscape setting, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignettes reads, EUE ET ADAM PREMIEREMENT FURENT TENTES DE GLOUTONNIE JESUS AUSSI PAREILLEMENT ESTANT EN LA MORTELLE VIE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including roses, inhabited by bird and by fantastic animal, winged.