Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Christ: in Gethsemane.
Belgium, possibly Tournai, ca. 1440
MS M.357. Fol. 152r

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Christ: in Gethsemane -- Christ, crossed, rayed nimbus, hands raised, looking downward, kneels next to hillock surmounted by chalice in which is host (wafer). In foreground, Paul, nimbed, resting head on right hand, reclines, sword next to him; two other apostles, nimbed, one probably Evangelist John, sit, John with both hands to face, the other with right hand to face. Half-figure of God, raising right hand in blessing and holding tripartite globe with left hand, appears amid stars in cloud-edged arc of Heaven at upper left. All are enclosed in garden by wattle fence and by picket fence with covered gate with latch.
Christ: Betrayal, Arrival in Garden -- At right, beyond the fence, one of group of men and soldiers holds torch, another indicates Christ with right hand, and holds club with left hand, his right leg hanging over the fence; some carry spears; one soldier reaches over the gate, extending hand to latch. Judas, looking downward, stands among them.Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including strawberry and daisy, and inhabited by half figure of man, wearing cap (?), holding lantern with both hands, emerging from flower; hybrid man wearing hat, left hand raised, holding club with right hand; monkey or hybrid, grasping vine with raised left hand; two addorsed men, one wearing hood with ears, astride fantastic animal, mouth open showing teeth, and the other astride hybrid man, each reaching back with right arm, grasping flower or foliage in right hand (Scene, Burlesque: Fighting ?). Text and miniature framed on three sides by gold bars decorated with flowers and intertwining vines.