Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1480
MS M.6 fol. 154r

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Gregory the Great: Scene, celebrating Mass -- Gregory the Great, tonsured, wearing vestment decorated with cross enclosing figures, holding wafer (host) in raised hands, kneels before draped altar on which are open book with pseudo-inscription on bookstand, chalice, candle, papal triple tiara, and vision of Christ, as Man of Sorrows, with crossed rays as nimbus, showing wounds, seated on edge of sarcophagus in front of cross, spear, and column (Instruments of the Passion), all beneath altar canopy. Behind Gregory are tonsured acolyte, kneeling and holding vestment of Gregory in left hand and lighted candle in right hand; and three standing men, one wearing ermine-trimmed mantle, one wearing hat, and one, possibly Peter II of Foix, wearing cardinal's hat and vestments. Scene in church with Gothic colonnade and tile floor.
Lower margin decorated with scattered flowers, including dianthus, cherry, columbine, and thistle.