Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Italy, 1482
MS M.893 fol. 255r

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- Monk (?), with his eyes closed, and his head on cushion, lies covered with black drapery on wooden bed or bier, with two poles projecting from foot and head. Lighted candle is set on one pole at each end of bed. Behind the bed are monk; acolyte, holding aspergil; abbot, mitered, wearing cope, holding open book with both hands, and supporting crozier with left hand; and two monks holding lighted candles. In background is brick wall with arched doorway opening to distant landscape across body of water. Castle (?) is on distant shore before hills with tree and bushes.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament. Within border, medallion enclosing man rending jaws of animal, possibly Samson slaying lion.