Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.52 fol. 421v

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John Baptist: Birth -- Within room, midwife, with attendant, takes infant John Baptist, nude, from Elizabeth, nimbed, in canopied bed. Zacharias, seated on ground beside bed, basin of water, and table with book, writes IOHANNES in book with pen held in right hand. Angel, appearing above figures amid aureole of light, speaks text IOHANNES EST NOMEN EIUS.
Scene within border decorated with foliate ornament in cama³aeu and budding and full flowers, including pink, violas, strawberry, and thistle.