Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 16v

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1) Pentecost -- Cross-nimbed dove of Holy Ghost descends from cloudy arc of heaven, emitting rays toward twelve nimbed apostles, some gesturing, and five seated in front, including one orant, flanking Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, seated.
2) Virgin Mary: Death -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, lies covered on draped post bed, before eleven nimbed apostles, one clasping hands, three with right hands raised to faces in mourning, one holding open ruled book, three gesturing, and one bending toward the Virgin.
3) Virgin Mary: Assumption -- Christ, cross-nimbed, stands with right hand raised in blessing and with draped left hand supporting nude soul of Virgin Mary, nimbed, with joined hands, amid and surrounded by undulating aureole (or mandorla) above two flying nude angels, nimbed, blowing trumpets and raising hands toward Him.
4) Virgin Mary: Coronation -- Nimbed angel flies toward and crowns Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, turned with joined hands raised toward Christ, cross-nimbed, raising right hand in blessing her and holding half-partite globe and floreate scepter in left hand, both seated on architectural bench decorated with arcades.
Scenes 1 and 4 with gold diapered and punched backgrounds, and scenes 2 and 3 with blue backgrounds, within decorated frames.