Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Farnese Hours
Italy, Rome, 1546
M.69, fol. 106v

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Miniature:
Pentecost -- Virgin Mary, veiled with wimple, with joined hands, is seated looking up at dove of Holy Ghost, hovering above her amid rays. She is flanked by twelve apostles, all looking up, some seated with joined hands, one, probably Evangelist John, standing, right hand extended, left hand on breast.
Scene in room with two closed doors. Plaque on lower edge of miniature inscribed DOMINE LABIA MEA APERIES.
Upper margin:
Two winged putti embracing, flanked by two vases with two putti at each vase, and by four putti, possibly wrestling. Two nude men, seated on and grasping drapery, one next to vase decorated with figures.
Left margin:
Two putti flanking footed vase decorated with figures; man in niche looking toward Pentecost scene; below niche, head (mask) with mouth wide open, wearing knotted headgear, supported by two seated putti with arms linked.
Right margin:
Two putti flanking footed vase decorated with figure; woman in niche looking toward Pentecost scene; below niche, head (mask) with mouth wide open, wearing knotted headgear; nude woman, seated, her left arm grasped by left hand of seated male (?) figure.
Lower margin:
In center, putto, hands bound behind back, astride goat, confronted by another putto, winged, grasping with left hand, right thigh of first putto. All surrounded by four other putti, two back-turned, one, winged, holding tail of the goat. At left and right, seated nude women, one partly back-turned.