Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.52 fol. 3r

See more information »

Historiated border containing cama³aeu figures, medallions, and miniature in lower border frames calendar.
Top border, in cama³aeu:
Scene, Sports and Games: Top-spinning, and unidentified -- Two men spin tops. Five men carry unidentified objects. Last man holds pole with basket.
Left border, in cama³aeu:
Statue of male figure within illusionistic architectural niche.
Right border, decorated in cama³aeu:
Gregory the Great: celebrating Mass -- Within elaborately carved, illusionistic architectural niche, Gregory the Great kneels before altar surmounted by half-figure of Christ, nimbed. Three men kneel behind Gregory, including one holding papal cross.
Feast celebrated March 12.
Right border, medallion and panel:
1) Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel kneels before Virgin Mary, seated on floor beside vase of lilies and pitcher. Dove of Holy Ghost flies towards Virgin Mary. Scene within bedroom furnished with bed.
Feast of the Annunciation celebrated March 25.
Zodiac Sign: Aries -- Ram, within landscape. Below, ARIES inscribed in cama³aeu.
Lower border, divided into two panels:
Month, Occupation: March -- In left panel, beside pile of faggots, laborer trims branches. Second laborer ties branches into faggot. Scene within landscape with buildings and ship on water.
In right panel, man and woman, seated with dog in her lap, look on as three laborers work in beds enclosed in fence. First laborer, holding spade in right hand, raises left hand to forehead. Second laborer digs in bed with spade. Third laborer, in background, prunes vines in arbor. To right is castle surrounded by moat.