Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Spain, perhaps Burgos or Segovia, 1465-1480
MS M.854 fol. 34v

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Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, with crossed nimbus, wearing short loin cloth and crown of thorns, bleeding from wounds, is affixed with three nails to tau-cross. Above cross in frame of miniature is titulus inscribed INRI. To left of the cross are Mary Magdalen, nimbed, wearing veil and wimple, standing with joined hands raised and head inclined; Evangelist John, nimbed, standing and supporting swooning Virgin Mary, nimbed, wearing veil and wimple; and Longinus of Jerusalem, wearing hat, astride horse, holding spear in left hand toward wound in side of Christ. To right of the cross are three men, all wearing hats and standing, one holding spear and looking up toward Christ and one holding spear and shield, looking away. In foreground are bones and two skulls. In background are rocky cliffs and distant city of Jerusalem.
Miniature enclosed by frame inscribed LANCEA CRUX CLAVIS ESPINE MORS ET VULNERA QUE TOLERAVI HOS TENDUNT QUA UT MISEROSA CRIMINE LAVI LANCEA CRUX CLAVI ESPINE MORS ET VULNERA QUE TOLER (sic).
Amid foliate ornament in margins are four angels holding Instruments of the Passion, including column, nails (?), scourges, and spear. In lower margin are two kneeling angels, flanking and supporting escutcheon with arms of Castile (gules, a castle or).
Miniature and ornament executed in grisaille and gold tones with color accents.