Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Poitiers, ca. 1475
MS M.1001 fol. 154v

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Gregory the Great: celebrating Mass -- Gregory the Great, nimbed, tonsured, wearing vestments, kneeling at draped altar with open book and chalice, raises in both hands wafer depicting Crucifixion. Acolyte, kneeling behind him, raises Gregory's vestments with left hand and holds candle in right hand. Cardinal, with joined hands raised, stands within doorway.
Behind altar, Christ, cross-nimbed, wearing crown of thorns, appears as Man of Sorrows, standing within sarcophagus. On wall behind Christ are the following instruments of the passion: cock standing atop column, sponge, spear, two scourges, three dice, ladder from which hang hammer and pincers, cross with garment and purse hanging from arm, head of man expectorating, hand making mocking gesture, bloody ear beside sword, three nails, pitcher in basin, and lantern.
Foliate border decorated with flowers in lower margin.