Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 92r

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Shepherds: Adoration -- Nude Christ Child, reclining amid rays, extends arms up toward Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with joined hands, kneeling at his feet. Of three shepherds, wearing hats, two, with joined hands, kneel in background.
In upper left margin, angel, nimbed; in lower left margin, two shepherds, one holding pedum with right hand, one raising right hand. All in two medallions amid floreate ornament and gold balls extending into upper and lower margins, and linked by red band decorated with foliate ornament.
Text is beginning of collect for first Vespers on 01.01, Octave of Christmas.
Pen-flourished initials.