Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, 1430-1435
MS M.359 fol. 118v

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Personification, Virtue: Prudence -- Prudence, wearing wimpled veil, with coffin on her head, stands with arms extended. In her right hand she holds a mirror and in her left hand a shield decorated with the Instruments of the Passion, including column, scourge, pincers, and cross. At her feet are sieve and a bag of grain or coins. Above her is label inscribed PRUDENCE. To left and extending into margin is scroll inscribed SICUT ET NOS DIMITTIMUS DEBITORIBUS NOSTRIS ET NE NOS INDUCAS IN TEMTACIONEM. Diapered and patterned background. Scene in half-circular vignette in left margin.
Margins with ivy-rinceaux, foliate, and vinescroll ornament.