Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 289v

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Virgin Mary: Visitation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, extending hands to hands of Elizabeth, nimbed and veiled, standing in doorway of building within initial D decorated with foliate ornament.
In upper margin camaieu head of king, crowned, amid gold balls and flowers. In upper left margin, medallion enclosing half-figure of woman holding with left hand scroll with pseudo-inscription; in lower left margin, medallion enclosing profile bust woman (?) holding with right hand scroll with pseudo-inscription. Red band linking the medallions decorated with arms and armor including mace and shield, and with cornucopia.
Text is collect for first Vespers on 07.02, feast of the Visitation.
Pen-flourished initials.