Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
England, Yorkshire?, ca. 1400
MS M.766 fol. 68r

See more information »

Left column:
Christ: Entombment -- Christ, crossed nimbus, bleeding from wounds, His body partially draped, is grasped at sarcophagus by Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, weeping, bending over His body. Holy Woman, nimbed and veiled is at His feet. Behind them, Joseph of Arimathea, wearing hat is orant; second man, Nicodemus (?), wearing hat, extends right hand.
Caption, SEXTA TRISTICIA BEATE UIRGINIS, is inscribed above scene.
Right column:
Virgin Mary: Consolation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, hands crossed on breast, stands amid representations of events in life of Christ including: angel, nimbed, winged, wearing fillet (suggesting Virgin Mary: Annunciation); heads of ass and ox (suggesting Christ: Nativity); leg with foot in basin and chalice surmounted by cross inscribed host (suggesting Christ: Washing of Feet and Christ: Last Supper); two trees flanked by sword and club (?) (suggesting Christ: in Gethsemane and Christ: Arrest); head of Christ, crossed nimbus, with blindfold (suggesting Christ: mocked); column with crown of thorns flanked by scourge and sponge on reed in container (suggesting Christ: Flagellation); cross with three nails flanked by spear and sponge with reed in container (suggesting Christ: Crucifixion); floreate cross with cross inscribed banner standing in empty sarcophagus (suggesting Christ: Resurrection); stone with imprint of outline of two feet (suggesting Christ: Ascension).
Caption, SEPTIMA TRISTICIA BEATE UIRGINIS, is inscribed above scene.