Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
France, probably Troyes, ca. 1400
MS M.331 fol. 269v

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Virgin Mary: Birth -- Anna, nimbed and veiled with wimple, resting head on right hand, reclines with head on pillow on mattress flanked by two rods from which hang curtains. She looks toward nude Virgin Mary as child, nimbed, standing in wooden tub of water looking toward midwife, wearing hat, extending hands to Mary.
Background of blue with gold vine scroll
Margins decorated with border of foliate rinceaux some sprouting from rectilinear bars enclosing text. Fantastic animal in lower margin.
Beginning of introit for Mass on feast of birth of the Virgin.