Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Northern France or Flanders, ca. 1445
M.287 fol. 35r

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Miniature:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Next to draped prie-dieu on which is open book, Virgin Mary, nimbed, is seated with hands crossed in lap. She looks toward Archangel Gabriel, raising right hand, holding scepter with left hand, kneeling. Dove of Holy Ghost flies toward head of Virgin Mary, amid rays descending from half-figure of God outside of miniature in vignette in upper right margin. He is crowned, raising right hand in gesture of blessing, holding with left hand cross-surmounted, tripartite globe. Behind God are half-figures of two angels, one with joined hands, the other with hands crossed on breast.
Virgin Mary and Gabriel in church with draped altar with reredos, all below double arch supported by two columns below roof. On roof are busts of two angels.
Miniature and text surrounded on three sides by gold frame, partially decorated with floreate ornament.
Initial:
Initial D enclosing peacock.
Lower margin:
At left, Personification of Church, nimbed and crowned, holding with both hands, chalice surmounted by wafer (host) inscribed with cross; and Personification of Synagogue, veiled with wimple, wearing blindfold, holding broken, bannered staff with right hand and Tables of Law with left hand.
Eve: Creation -- At right, God, nimbed, raising right hand, extends left hand toward nude Eve, with joined hands raised, emerging frm side of nude Adam reclining on side, supporting head with left hand.
Margins decorated with blocks of rinceaux, foliate and floreate ornament.