Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Italy, 1482
MS M.893 fol. 34r

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Christ: Crucifxion -- Christ, with rays as nimbus, head inclined, eyes closed, wearing loin cloth, with blood flowing from wounds in hands, side and feet, is affixed with three nails to tau cross bearing titulus INRI.
At left are Dysmas, bound to tau-cross, looking up at sky; soldier, wearing chain mail; two Holy Women, veiled, and Evangelist John, all with rays as nimbus, one of whom has hand on right shoulder of Virgin Mary, veiled, looking down, right hand grasping robe of the Holy Woman behind her; and Longinus, wearing peaked hat, piercing side of Christ with spear.
At right are Gestas, wearing loin cloth, bound to tau-cross, looking down, with small black devil, next to head; three soldiers wearing chain mail and helmets, one holding spear, another holding axe; and the Centurion, wearing hat and vair-lined robe, raising right hand.
Scene is in landscape with flowering plants, trees, hills in background, and cracks in earth at base of cross.
Margins decorated with border of foliate ornament. Within border, medallions enclosing head of male figure wearing headgear.