Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, possibly the Veneto, ca. 1425-1450
MS M.1089 fol. 41v

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Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, with hands crossed on breast, kneels at feet of swaddled Christ Child, crossed nimbus, reclining on ground. Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, wearing hat, raising right hand to hat, holding candle with left hand, kneels at His head. Next to them is wattle shed with thatch roof enclosing ox and ass.
In distance, behind the shed, stand two shepherds, one wearing hood and holding pedum, the other raising left hand. They face angel, nimbed, indicating upward with right hand. Sheep are at right. (Shepherds: Annunciation)
Scenes in landscape with rocky outcrop, trees, hills and body of water.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament.