Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Farnese Hours
Italy, Rome, 1546
M.69, fol. 5r

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Miniature:
Isaiah: Prophecy to Ahaz -- Isaiah, wearing hood, seated with feet crossed, looks toward, and extends with both hands, book inscribed ECCE VIRGO CONCIP[...] toward Ahaz, crowned, both hands raised, looking toward Isaiah. Small dog stands beside Ahaz. Behind Isaiah, is man, wearing cap, facing angel, right hand raised indicating sky. In background two men, one wearing sword at waist and quiver on back, stand next to bridled horse; large dog stands between the two men. Behind them are three horsemen, wearing helmets, the foremost holding shield, and the third, looking at other two, indicating with right hand.
Scene in exterior next to doorway of building, with three columns in background. In distance, building with steeple, next to which stand two figures; ruined building; long building wth arcade with stream of water (?) emerging from roof; body of water with three (?) ships and buildings on far shore. At bottom of miniature is tablet flanked by two scrolls terminating with rams' heads and by two nude figures supporting the scrolls. Tablet is inscribed with incipit to Hours of the Virgin, Matins DOMINE LABIA MEA APERIES ET OS MEVM ANVNTIABIT LAVDEM TVAM.
Upper margin
In upper margin, nude male figures, standing, holding drapery behind his back; partially hidden nude male extending right arm toward blue fleur-de-lis held in right hand of semi-reclining, back-turned nude figure; basin or bowl, in which are flowers, with two handles, decorated with two masks and unidentified figures; semi-relining nude male figure extending with right hand, blue fleur-de-lis, over the head of a partially visible figure, to left hand of one of two nude back-turned figures standing in opening of tent.
Left margin:
Niche, in which stands relief of man, touching top of head with right hand, possibly prophet, all within frame with winged head at top and bottom.
Right margin:
In right margin, niche in which stands woman, veiled, raising right hand, possibly sibyl.
Lower margin:
In center, blank escutcheon. At left five putti, one extending right hand toward blue fleur-de-lis held in left hand of second putto, two holding basket or bowl of flowers including blue fleur-de-lis; fifth putti partially hidden behind the escutcheon. Winged head amid floreate garland from which hangs cord, decorated with jewel, terminating with tassel. At right, six putti, one extending left hand toward blue fleur-de-lis held with right hand of second putto whose left arm is around shoulders of the third; three putti surrounding, two holding, basket or bowl containing flowers, including blue fleur-de-lis. Winged head amid floreate garland, from which hangs cord, decorated with jewel and terminating with tassel.