Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, Oxford, between 1212 and 1220
MS M.43 fol. 25v

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1) Evangelist, John: Death, John praying within the Grave -- Evangelist John, nimbed, lies in sarcophagus, raising joined hands. Two groups of nimbed apostles, one holding book, and Christ, cross-nimbed, holding nimbed, nude soul of the Evangelist, stand.
2) Evangelist, Matthew: Martyrdom -- One of six men raises left hand and with sword strikes head of Matthew, nimbed, in priest's vestment, raising joined hands and standing before altar. Dove of Holy Ghost emerges from arc of heaven.
3) Apostle, Simon: Martyrdom, and Apostles, Simon and Jude: Scene, Idols of Samir -- One of six men saws head of Simon, nimbed, standing with right hand raised and book in draped left hand. Above, Hand of God emerges from arc of heaven, blessing him. At right, sun and crescent moon appear above two horned bestial idols, wearing fringed waist-bands, standing on column.
4) Apostle, Bartholomew: Martyrdom -- Astyages, crowned, sits on bench, holds sword in right hand, and raises left hand toward Hand of God emerging from cloudy arc of heaven, above nude Bartholomew. He is flayed with knives by four executioners.
Scenes within architectural settings.