Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Netherlands, ca. 1500
MS M.156 fol. 50v

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Miniature:
David: in Prayer -- David, wearing mantle trimmed with vair, kneels with joined hands raised with fur-lined hat, scepter, and harp, partially in sack, at his feet. In sky above him, angel appears in gold arc of Heaven.
Scene in landscape with turf top bench, buildings, possibly of brick, with doors and windows framed with stone, and one with stepped roof. Half-timbered house. In background man standing at rail, another on horseback in stream, and two others walking along shore. In distance, bridge over stream, and trees.
Margins, left and lower:
1) David: slinging at Goliath -- Goliath, wearing helmet and armor, holding halberd with right hand and raising left hand stands above David, body slightly turned, holding sling with right hand.
2)David: bringing Head of Goliath to Saul -- Group of soldiers, one carrying bannered spear, another carrying lance follow three (?) horsemen, two wearing plumed hats. David walks before them raising sword on which is head of Goliath. They approach group of women at city gate or castle, one wearing hat, others, veiled, one playing harp, another playing gittern.