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Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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Bible
France, possibly Paris, between 1250 and 1275
MS M.970 fol. 3v

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Beginning of Genesis.
Seven days of creation are depicted in separate roundels within decorated initial I.
Uppermost roundel:
Creation Scene: 1st Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, stands with right hand raised and holding in his left hand globe, half black and half white.
Second roundel:
Creation Scene: 2nd Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, stands with right hand raised and holding globe in his left hand.
Third roundel:
Creation Scene: 3rd Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, stands holding sun in his raised right hand and crescent moon in his raised left hand.
Fourth roundel:
Creation Scene: 4th Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing crossed nimbus, raising right hand in blessing, stands between two trees.
Fifth roundel:
Creation Scene: 5th Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, raising right hand in blessing toward heads of three horses (?) and three (?) birds. Tree in background.
Sixth roundel:
Creation Scene: 6th Day -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, raises right hand in blessing toward male and female figures, both nude.
Seventh roundel:
Creation Scene: God resting -- Christ-Logos, wearing pearled crossed nimbus, seated on bench, raises right hand in blessing and holds cross-inscribed globe in his left hand.
Base of initial:
Crucifixion -Christ, crossed nimbus, with eyes closed, in long loin cloth, is affixed with three nails to cross. He is flanked by Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, and Evangelist John, nimbed, with right hand raised to his cheek. Above arms of the cross are sun and moon.
Below initial is fantastic animal, winged.



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