Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
France or England, ca. 1260-1270
MS M.138 fol. 3r

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Initial I decorated with animal masks and foliate ornament intertwined to form mandorla-like segments enclosing:
1) Creation Scene: 1st Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, with globe in left hand and right hand raised in blessing.
2) Creation Scene: 2nd Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, separates two spheres, partially visible, representing heavens and earth. He raises right hand in blessing.
3) Creation Scene: 3rd Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raises right hand in blessing and holds branch in left hand.
4) Creation Scene: 4th Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, holds sun in right hand and raises crescent moon held in left hand.
5) Creation Scene: 5th Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, holds unidentified object in right hand and raises bird held in right hand.
6) Creation Scene: 6th Day, and Eve: Creation -- Adam, raising right hand, and Eve, right hand to head, are beside Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raising right hand in blessing.
7) Creation Scene: God resting -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, seated, raises right hand and holds book in left hand.
At base of initial I, in lower margin, framed by animal interlace is:
Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross-nimbed, head inclined, eyes closed, wearing long loincloth, is affixed to tau cross.
Illustration for beginning of Genesis.