Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1520
MS M.632 fol. 86v

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David: in Prayer -- David, wearing armor, his arms crossed on his chest, kneels at prie-dieu on which is book resting on cushion. Behind him is canopied throne; next to prie-dieu is hat with crown; and leaning on wall is harp. Above, in cloud-edged arc of heaven, half figure of God raises right hand and holds cross-surmounted globe in left hand. Rays extended from God to David, and hovering between them is angel holding sword in right hand and arrow in left hand. Scene in room with colonnade, through which landscape is visible.
Miniature of grisaille and gold with painted accents, within Italianate architectural frame, decorated with foliate garlands, foliate ornament, foliate capitals, puttis hanging on vines, masks holding ends of foliate garland, and winged head holding both ends of foliate garlands.