Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 191v

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Trinity: Mercy Seat -- God, nimbed, is seated, arms extended to cross on which is Christ, crossed nimbus, bleeding from wound in side, wearing short loin cloth. Dove of Holy Ghost, hardly visible, hovers above head of Christ. All within initial O.
In lower margin, medallion enclosing half-figure of prophet, wearing hat, holding scroll with pseudo-inscription with both hands. Medallion surrounded by flowers and gold balls; column of floreate ornament emerging from vase linking lower and upper margins with two bullfinches perching among flowers.
Beginning of chapter for first Vespers on Trinity Sunday.
Pen-flourished initials.