Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Northern France or Flanders, ca. 1445
M.287 fol. 60v

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Christ: Nativity -- Nude Christ Child, nimbed, reclines on drapery amid rays, looking up and extending left hand toward Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, kneeling at His feet. Joseph the Carpenter, with joined hands, kneels next to her; angel behind Mary holds hem of garment. Ox and ass are in background next to draped bed with pillows.
Scene visible through opening into building with wattle walls, window, hole in thatched roof through which rays descend from bust of God, right hand raised in gesture of blessing, surrounded by eight red seraphs.
Miniature and text surrounded on three sides by gold frame, partially decorated with floreate ornament. Margins decorated with border of rinceaux, foliate and floreate ornament including strawberry and pea pods.