Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

New Testament illustrations
Germany, probably in or around Strasbourg, ca. 1430
MS M.719 fol. 3r

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Upper half:
Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, hands crossed on breast, is seated on bench with lectern on which is open book, facing Gabriel, nimbed, holding scroll with left hand and indicating with right hand. Vase containing flowers is between them. Above, dove flies toward head of Mary; behind dove is nude Christ Child, nimbed, amid rays probably issuing from mouth of God, head only appearing in cloud at upper right.
Lower half:
Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, sitting on draped bed, extends hands to Christ Child, crossed nimbus, wearing loincloth, semi-reclining in manger, extending His arms to Mary. Behind manger are heads of ass and ox. At foot of bed, midwife sits next to small wooden tub, extending right hand into tub, holding object, possibly cloth, with left hand.