Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of hours
Belgium, Bruges, 1525-1530
MS M.1175. Fol. 062v

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Christ: Circumcision -- Christ Child, nimbus as rays, nude, grasped from behind by possibly Joseph the Carpenter, seated on draped altar, before Mohel, wearing High Priest's vestments, circumcising with knife.
All are surrounded by men and women, one holding swaddled infant in background. Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with joined hands raised, partly visible at right.
Scene in temple room with arcaded screen surmounted by six lit candles and drapery.
Miniature framed by border inhabited by snails, robins, caterpillars, spider and moth and decorated with naturalistic buds and flowers including cornflower, sweetpea, columbine and rose, against gold background, at beginning of Terce in Hours of the Virgin.