Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita Christi (Life of Christ)
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1440
MS M.649 fol. 6v

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Zone 1:
1) Christ: Ascension -- Christ, only lower part of garment and feet visible, disappears into cloud emitting rays. Below, footprints of Christ are visible on hill. Surrounding the hill are Virgin Mary, nimbed, seen from behind, arms raised, flanked by 11 (?) apostles, nimbed, some with hands joined, some with arms raised, and by two angels, nimbed.
2) Elijah: Ascension -- Elisha, name inscribed HELYSEUS on scroll, kneels on one knee, extending arms under mantle held by Elijah, name inscribed HELYAS on scroll, above in fiery chariot. Scene is in landscape with tree and small mound
Zone 2:
1) Pentecost -- Dove of Holy Ghost, nimbed, descends from cloud emitting rays. At left are Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, seated, holding book on lap, and seven Apostles, nimbed, one, possibly Peter, kneeling, some with hands joined, some with hands raised. At right are Evangelist John, nimbed, seated and four Apostles, nimbed, seated, two with hands joined, one with right hand on breast. Scene is in bare landscape with hill in background.
2) Moses: receiving Law -- Bust of Christ-Logos, cross nimbed, amid rays in arc of Heaven emitting rays, raises right hand and rests left hand on table of law held with both hands extended by Moses, horned, name inscribed MOYSES on scroll, kneeling on one knee on ground. Scene is in landscape of hills with one tree.