Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Picture Bible
France, Paris, ca. 1244-1254
MS M.638 fol. 39r

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Zone 1:
David: Battle at Baalperazim -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, emerging from cloud, glances toward David, crowned, in mail, mounted on caparisoned horse, with heraldic shield (azure lion rampant or). With lance he transfixes torso of Philistine soldier in mail, with scabbard, falling from caparisoned horse. Mounted Israelite soldiers in mail, most wearing visors, are armed with bannered lances, three heraldic shields, sword, axes, and notched falchion. They attack mounted Philistine soldiers in mail, one with shield. Illustration of II Samuel 5:20.
Zone 2:
David: Fetching of Ark -- Hand of God emerges from cloud above Ark of Covenant in wagon (wain) drawn by two oxen, before eight men including Ahio. Two point to Uzzah touching the Ark with left hand and falling dead.
To right, boy with staff and five men, playing clappers, pipe, bell, fiddle, square tambourine, and two trumpets, follow David, crowned, holding harp, approaching Obededom in portal of his house. Hand of God emerges from clouds above. Illustration of II Samuel 6:1-7.
Scenes with architectural frames.