Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Claude Molé
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS M.356 fol. 65r

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Trinity: God, Christ of Sorrows and Dove -- Dove of Holy Ghost descends toward cross-surmounted globe held on laps by Christ, as Man of Sorrows, nimbed, wearing partly draped mantle, showing wounds in head, right hand, and side, and God, nimbed, wearing triple-crowned tiara and stole, both with right hands raised in blessing, each seated on throne. All are flanked at left by Virgin Mary, nimbed, crowned, with joined hands raised, kneeling on cloud, in front of Barbara of Nicomedia holding tower in left hand and group of female saints and wingless angels wearing red or blue stoles crossed on breasts, and at right by John Baptist, nimbed, wearing sleeveless tunic, kneeling on cloud, indicating with right forefinger toward Lamb of God reclining on book held in his left arm, in front of group of male saints, one with joined hands raised, and wingless angels wearing blue and red stoles crossed on breasts. Below, first row includes group of apostles, including Evangelist John, beardless, Apostle Bartholomew holding flaying knife, and Apostle Thomas holding carpenter’s square, and male saints, the foremost six figures with backs turned. Below, second row includes group of male saints, most with backs turned, two wearing, possibly, deacon’s vestments, one martyr, possibly Stephen Protomartyr, showing wound in tonsured head, one wearing habit, and another wearing garment with ermine collar. Below, third row includes group of male saints, one wearing habit, one wearing hooded habit, archbishop, possibly Claudius of Besançon, wearing miter with green infulae and vestments, holding cross-staff, and bishop, wearing miter with red infulae and holding crozier, the last three with backs turned. Miniature of Saints, Hierarchy, set against gold background. Miniature within architectural frame of two columns supporting pediment.