Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Farnese Hours
Italy, Rome, 1546
M.69, fol. 33r

See more information »

Right margin:
Winged, nude figure, standing behind breastplate over tunic, arms outstretched to two shields one with face. Below, armless, crouching winged female (?) figure flanked by two putti facing, raising round shields (bucklers) on left arms. Profile bust portrait of Alessandro Farnese, (facing Alexander the Great on facing page) wearing helmet decorated with woman with unicorn on her lap, and surmounted by white feather. Below Alessandro, female figure, possibly Ecclesia, holding with right hand, downturned torch, and crucifix with left hand, standing flanked by shields, one with face, at left and by miter, papal tiara and three books (?) at right.
Lower margin:
Landscape continued from facing page.
Text is from Hours of the Virgin, Terce.