Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Belgium, Liège, ca. 1280s
MS M.183 fol. 105r

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Initial E:
Psalm 081 (Vulg., 080).
Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus -- Christ, cross-nimbed, raises right hand in blessing and with left hand grasps left arm of shrouded Lazarus rising from sarcophagus, before two flanking groups of three men wearing pointed caps, two raising mantles to their noses, and three veiled women, including Mary and Martha of Bethany, one clasping hands.
Scene beneath double trefoil arches, within decorated initial E, decorated with marginal rectilinear foliate bars and balls, one formed by winged hybrid man entwined by serpent, and another with terminal of hybrid man wearing cap and scrolling tendrils enclosing scene (described below).
In lower margin (bas-de-page):
Absalom: Death -- Absalom, wearing chain mail, mounted on horse, with lance under his right arm transfixes torso of Absalom, with left hand on sheathed sword, hanging by hair from one of the foliate tendrils; his saddled horse runs away.