Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, probably Paris, ca. 1490
MS M.1080 fol. 107r

See more information »

Legend, Dance of Death -- Death, as skeleton, partially draped, swings scythe. Before death, Pope, wearing triple crowned tiara and cope, king wearing imperial crown and sword, cardinal wearing hat, and another man, wearing hat (?), fall to ground.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament. All enclosed in architectural frame. In niche on each column, death as decaying body stands below canopy, one holding object, the other holding spear.