Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps Brittany, ca. 1425
MS M.865 fol. 123r

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, with nimbus and rays as cross, with crown of thorns, head inclined, eyes closed, bleeding from wounds, wearing short loincloth, is affixed with three nails to cross. At left, Longinus stands, piercing right side of Christ with spear; at right, Stephaton holds long rod with sponge close to face of Christ. He is flanked above by sun and moon, and below by two other crosses, to which two men are bound, with arms over cross-bars. Thief at His right looks toward Christ; the other thief looks down, and is abraded. Skull is on ground at foot of cross of Christ.
On ground, three men stand at left and look toward Christ. In left foreground sit Holy Woman, Evangelist John, and Virgin Mary, veiled, leaning toward John; all are nimbed. At right is group of men and soldiers looking toward Christ, one, wearing hat and holding shield, indicating Christ; one with scimitar; one with bannered spear; one holding halberd.
Scene in barren landscape with rocky outcrops and few trees.
Miniature and text framed on three sides by rectilinear bars of gold decorated with vine scroll. Margins decorated with border of vine scroll.