Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1430
MS M.64 fol. 91r

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- Tomb, decorated with statues or reliefs in niches on the sides, is surrounded by: three horses, men holding bannered spears; four mourners or monks, wearing hoods, dressed in black robes; and three men wearing headgear. At upper right are two clerics, one holding crozier, the other with right hand on gold disk, possibly paten, held also by left hand of bishop, wearing miter and vestments. They stand before altar on which is chalice and candlestick, and behind which is reredos. Scene in canopied, windowed, architectural frame. Eight men visible outside center window, possibly singing. Through left window, possibly hat of cardinal hanging over tomb. Above on pendants, two statues.
Lower margin, in circle of foliage:
Lazarus: Death -- Lazarus, nimbed, reclines on bed, surrounded by six men and women.
Right margin, in circles of foliage (bottom to top):
1) Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus, met by Martha -- Christ, cross-nimbed, draped in mantle, holding staff in right hand and raising left hand stands by Martha (?), nimbed. Behind them is draped casket.
2) Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus -- Christ, cross-nimbed, draped in mantle, holding bannered cross staff in left hand, stands before Lazarus, draped, emerging from casket.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament, inhabited by peacocks.