Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 253v

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In left column, initial E enclosing half-figure of prophet (?) holding scroll.
Text is chapter for first Vespers on 02.02, Feast of the Purification of Virgin Mary.
Christ: Presentation -- In right column, initial O enclosing nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, standing on draped altar, held by both Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, and by Simeon, nimbed. Three other nimbed figures, possibly including woman, flank them.
Text is collect for first Vespers on 02.02, Feast of the Purification of Virgin Mary.
In upper margin, cock amid flowers and gold balls. In lower margin, medallion enclosing stag (deer) flanked by two birds, and surrounded by gold balls and flowers. Left and center margins decorated with gold balls and floreate ornament.
Pen-flourished initial.