Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 179r

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Holy Family -- Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, seated on canopied throne, holds on her lap, nude Christ Child, rays as nimbus, reaching with left hand to caress right cheek of Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, crouching beside them, holding right hand of Christ with his left hand. Another figure, possibly John Baptist or angel, looks on. At right angel flies down carrying lily stalk. Scene within fenced garden with turf-topped bench.
Margins, within circle of foliage (from top to bottom):
1) Angel, nimbed, kneeling on one knee, holding bunch of branches over left shoulder.
2) Angel, holding branches over left shoulder.
3) Angel, extending branches with left hand, holding another branch over left shoulder with right hand.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament including iris and strawberry, and inhabited by peacock and other birds.