Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of hours
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.1170. Fol. 036r

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Christ: Nativity -- Half figures of Virgin Mary, nimbus as rays, with joined hands, beside Joseph the Carpenter, with right hand raised over flame of candle held in left hand, both before crib in which reclines Christ Child, nude, emitting rays, raising right hand to face, heads of ass and ox at right.
Scene in open end of shed with thatched roof showing landscape in background.
Miniature for beginning of Prime of Hours of the Virgin.
Margins inhabited by moth, two butterflies and fly and scattered with naturalistic flowers and plants including speedwell, strawberry, forget-me-not and dianthus; against gold background.