Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1430
MS M.64 fol. 131r

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Anthony Abbot the Great, with decorated nimbus, hooded, wearing habit, holding bell in right hand and staff in left hand, stands in canopied architectural frame with windows, topped with pinnacles surmounted by crosses.
Right margin, in circles of foliage (top to bottom):
1) Anthony Abbot the Great: Scene, assailed by Demons -- Before hermitage, Anthony Abbot, nimbed, with hands joined, stands with flames at his feet. To right, winged devil holds right shoulder of Anthony with left hand and raises stick in right hand. Another devil looks on from right.
2) Anthony Abbot the Great: Scene, tempted by Demons (?) -- Before hermitage, Anthony Abbot, with decorated nimbus, wearing hood and monk's habit, raising right hand, resting left hand on open book in lap, is seated, looking toward woman, wearing headdress (Devil in guise of woman). Small figure of king, crowned, stands between them.
Lower margin, in circles of foliage (right to left):
1) Anthony Abbot the Great: Scene, reading -- Before hermitage, Anthony Abbot, nimbed, wearing hood and monk's habit, raising right hand and resting left on open book on his lap, is seated. At right are owl, cow, and another animal.
2) Anthony Abbot the Great: Scene, Raven bringing Food -- Raven, holding loaf in beak, wings spread, descends amid rays from arc of Heaven (?) between Anthony Abbot and Paul, both nimbed, wearing hoods and monk's habits, with hands joined, seated and looking toward raven.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament, including strawberry.