Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Langres, ca. 1485-1490
MS M.26 fol. 48r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Before tent-like canopy, Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneels at draped prie-dieu on which is open book. She rests her right hand on book, raises left hand and looks toward Archangel Gabriel, extending fleur-de-lis scepter left hand and holding with right hand scroll inscribed AVE GRACIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM. Scene is in windowed room with wooden ceiling; in upper window is bust of God, nimbed, raising right hand in blessing and holding cross-surmounted globe in left hand. Rays extend from God to Virgin Mary, and support dove of Holy Ghost.
Miniature within arched frame supported by pairs of colonnettes and architectural elements.
Margins decorated with floreate and foliate ornament, including large branches, thistle, dianthus and strawberry, and inhabited by bird, dog with collar, monkey possibly wearing cardinal's hat and collar, hybrid man wearing hood with horns, playing bagpipe, and moth.