Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Italy, 1482
MS M.893 fol. 12r

See more information »

Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, with scalloped nimbus decorated with rays and with pseudo-inscription, raising left hand and holding, with right hand, scroll inscribed AVE GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM BENEDICTA TU IN MEENLIERIBUS kneels on one knee behind Virgin Mary, with nimbus decorated with rays and inscribed, AVE GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM. She is kneeling at prie dieu, looking back over right shoulder, resting right hand on book open on cushion on prie dieu, and raising left hand. Beside her is canopied altar with niche containing lily in vase. Medallion outside of frame, above left, enclosing God, in rayed mandorla, His hands emitting rays toward Virgin Mary. Christ Child is prone on rays, His head in direction of Virgin Mary, His arms extended holding tau cross. At end of rays, closest to Virgin Mary, is dove of Holy Ghost.
Miniature and text are framed by foliate and floreate border inhabited by five men, one wearing headgear, one wearing hat and all climbing among vines and by birds, including parrot (?), perched on vines. In each corner is medallion, one enclosing God (upper left), the others each enclosing monochrome head of male figure wearing headgear.