Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 298v

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Mary Magdalen: Scene, receiving Communion -- Mary Magdalen, nimbed, body covered with hair, with joined hands raised, kneels before priest, tonsured, wearing chasuble, extending wafer (host) with left hand to mouth of Mary Magdalen. Cave opening is in background. All is in initial B decorated with foliate ornament.
In upper margin, goat enclosed in medallion, amid gold balls and floreate ornament; in lower margin, bear enclosed in medallion amid gold balls and flowers, inhabited by owl and woodpecker. Medallions linked by red band decorated with acanthus leaves.
Text is collect from first Vespers on 07.22, feast of Mary Magdalen.
Pen-flourished initial C.