Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
France, ca. 1511
MS M. 8 fol. 342v

See more information »

John Baptist: Birth -- Midwife, wearing headdress and apron, extends hands toward Elizabeth, wearing headdress, with joined hands, reclining on draped bed. On other side of the bed, Virgin Mary, nimbed, holds nude John Baptist, nimbed. Curtains surround the bed. Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including daisy, campanula, campion, dianthus and columbine, and inhabited by wild man holding spear and shield and by hybrid bird with animal body. Text is invitatory for Matins on 06.24, feast of birth of John Baptist.