Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, possibly Brussels, ca. 1475
MS M.485 fol. 14v

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Pentecost -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled with wimple, is seated on cushion, holding open book on her lap with both hands. She looks right toward apostle, nimbed and tonsured, right hand to head, one of 13 apostles flanking her. All are nimbed, some only nimbus is visible. Three are orant; another has joined hands. Most look up toward dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, amid gold rays and tongues of fire, descending from red rays coming through open window.
Scene in vaulted interior, with windows, before cloth of honor.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including roses and strawberries and inhabited by hooded falcon, and hunter wearing tall hat, holding pole with right hand, crouching amid vines, looking toward stag (deer) reclining on grassy mound.