Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Gregory the Great: Scene, celebrating Mass.
Belgium, possibly Tournai, ca. 1440
MS M.357. Fol. 142r

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Gregory the Great: Scene, celebrating Mass -- Gregory the Great, nimbed and tonsured, with hands raised, looking up, kneels before draped altar, on which are lectern with open book, two candles, chalice, and cross-surmounted triple-crowned tiara. Christ, crossed nimbus, with crown of thorns, wearing short loin cloth, stands on the altar between candles, arms raised, showing bleeding wounds. Behind Him is reredos decorated with two figures. He is surrounded by Instruments of Passion including column entwined with rope, hammer, sponge on reed, cross with titulus INRI, and ladder with broken rung. Two scourges hang on wall to left of the altar. Before the altar are three nails, pliers, bucket (?), two dice and pile of coins.
Scene in church with barrel vault, leaded windows, bench with pillows behind Gregory.