Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Poitiers, ca. 1475
MS M.1001 fol. 76r

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Miniature:
Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross-nimbed, bleeding from wounds, in loin cloth, is affixed with three nails to tau cross with titulus inscribed INRI. Sun and moon appear above cross. He is flanked by two thieves, bound by broken arms to tau-crosses. Below, to left, veiled Holy Woman and Evangelist John support Virgin Mary, veiled, swooning. Mary Magdalen, kneeling, embraces base of the cross. All figures are nimbed. To right, soldier, wearing armor and holding human-faced shield, stands beside the Centurion, wearing draped hat, holding shield in left hand, sword in scabbard at waist. Third man, wearing hat, glances up toward Christ.
Miniature and text framed by historiated border continuing the Crucifixion scene:
Margin, left:
Soldiers, with shields and spears.
Margin, right:
Group of women, including Veronica of Rome holding veil showing head of Christ, cross-nimbed.
Margin, lower:
Christ: Casting of Lots for Garments -- Beside bench with game board and dice, three men quarrel over garments of Christ . First man, holding second man down with left hand, raises dagger held in right hand. Third man pulls end of garment away from second man.