Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Farnese Hours
Italy, Rome, 1546
M.69, fol. 30v

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Miniature:
Shepherds: Annunciation -- Of four shepherds, two, nude, sit on ground, one next to bagpipe; the other two, partially clad, stand, one with joined hands raised, all looking up toward angel hovering above. Dog lies in foreground; sheep are in background with goat and cow.
Upper margin:
Winged head (mask) in center, flanked by two putti on garland; nude man in each corner; figures decorating background.
Left margin:
Back-turned nude figure, possibly woman, wearing headdress, standing on pedestal decorated with winged head.
Right margin:
Nude woman, holding pot in which grass (?) grows, with both hands on her head, standing on pedestal decorated with head of woman.
Lower margin:
In center, with garland draped from shoulders, winged putto holds with both hands behind his head, plaque inscribed DEVS IN ADIVTORIVM MEVM INTENDE. At left, vase decorated with face and containing iris, is held by right hand of partially nude woman, left arm resting on the garland, looking back at the putto. At right, next to helmet, satyr, the garland hanging from right shoulder, holding with right hand, draped basket on his back, straddles head.