Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.52 fol. 141r

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Historiated border, framing text, with following scenes set within continuous landscape with buildings in background:
1) Christ: Deposition -- In top right corner of border, Nicodemus, on ladder, grasping right arm of Christ, rays as nimbus, wearing short loin cloth, removes nail with pincers. Joseph of Arimathea, on ladder against left arm of cross, grasps His shoulders and lowers Him into arms of Evangelist John, nimbed, standing below. Mary Magdalen, nimbed, standing, and Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, seated on ground, look on.
2) Holy Women: watching Sepulcher -- In middle of right border, Mary Magdalen, nimbed, and two holy women advance toward sepulcher below.
3) Christ: Entombment -- Below, within sepulcher carved into side of rocky outcropping, holy woman, nimbed, Virgin Mary, rays as nimbus, veiled, look on as Nicomedus, Evangelist John, nimbed, and Joseph of Arimathea carry body of Christ, rays as nimbus, on linen toward sarcophagus.
4) Christ: Harrowing of Hell -- In lower left corner of border, Christ, rays as nimbus, wounds visible, partially draped, holding cross-staff, tramples door of hell, under which are two demons. He grasps hands of Adam, stepping over door, followed by Eve and several figures issuing from within burning building.