Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 186v

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Pentecost -- Enclosed in initial D, Virgin Mary as half-figure, nimbed and veiled with wimple, with joined hands, is flanked by apostles Peter and Paul, nimbed. Behind them are several nimbi. Each with flame on nimbus.
In upper margin, dove of Holy Ghost, crossed nimbus, from which rays descend; in lower margin, half-figures of two men wearing hats, one back-turned, one in profile and raising right hand, look upwards. All in medallions surrounded by flowers and gold balls, linked by column of floreate ornament emerging from vase in center margin.
Beginning of collect for first Vespers on feast of Pentecost.
Pen-flourished initials.