Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Spain, perhaps Burgos or Segovia, 1465-1480
MS M.854 fol. 95v

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Christ: Presentation -- Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, holding staff in right hand, stands behind Virgin Mary, nimbed, wearing beaded fillet, with hands extended toward nude Christ Child, with crossed nimbus, standing on transparent cloth on altar. Beneath the cloth is left hand of Simeon, wearing hat, standing behind altar. In background is hooded male figure, possibly statue. Scene inside temple with rib vaults, columns, and drapery on rod.
Miniature enclosed in frame inscribed NUNC DIMICTS [DIMITTIS] SERUUM TUUM DOMINE SECUNDUM UERBUM TUUM IN PACE QVIA VIDERV[NT] (sic).
Amid foliate ornament in margins are nude man, playing curved horn resembling shofar; bust of a man; nude man, with simian-like head, wearing collar, holding sword over left shoulder with right hand and small shield with left hand; beggar, with sores on his bandaged legs, holding begging bowl and staff; hybrid man with hooved hindquarters; and three birds.
Miniature and ornament executed in grisaille and gold tones with color accents.