Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Spain, perhaps Burgos or Segovia, 1465-1480
MS M.854 fol. 161v

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Personification: Death (Apocalypse: Seal IV, Pale Horse ?) -- Death, as skeleton with bat wings, sits astride rearing horse and aims bow and arrow held in both hands. Around Death are seven figures including crowned queen, possibly Isabella of Castile; crowned soldier, possibly Infante Alfonso of Castile, wearing armor, laying on rock and bleeding, with arrow piercing breast; tonsured monk; cardinal, wearing hat and vestments, with right hand to face, bleeding, with arrow piercing breast; pope, wearing triple tiara and palium with pseudo-inscription; bishop, wearing miter and cope, holding crozier and with joined hands raised; and youth, possibly Infante Alfonso of Castile, wearing crowned hat and surcoat with pseudo-inscription, laying on ground with eyes closed, bleeding, pierced in breast with arrow.
Miniature enclosed in frame inscribed QUARE REPENTE SEVA SAGITA MORTE CEDENTE SVM NUDVS ITA MORS AMARA ACRIOR FELE CUM SIS IAN NVDA LIBERO VELE CARNEM PRO PEIE ME ESPOLIASTI VITAM PRIVASTI O MALEDITA (sic).
Amid foliate ornament in margins are two monkeys (apes), one standing, weraing boots, holding flower, and the other sitting with crossed legs and hands on his feet.
Miniature and ornament executed in grisaille and gold tones with color accents.