Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Poitiers, ca. 1475
MS M.1001 fol. 54r

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Miniature:
Christ: Presentation -- Within temple, Virgin Mary, scalloped nimbus, holding Christ Child, cross-nimbed, nude, and Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, holding basket of doves, approach draped altar on which is candle. Simeon, nimbed, standing behind altar, raises draped hands. Prophetess Anna, rayed nimbus, veiled, carrying candle, and group of female figures, including one woman with joined hands raised to breast, follow Virgin Mary and Joseph. Beside altar, male figure, joined hands raised to breast, appears behind curtain. Scene enclosed in architectural frame decorated with two statues of male figures surmounting columns.
Miniature and text framed by historiated border with the following figures and scenes:
Left border:
Male figure appears in doorway of building.
Right border:
Virgin Mary: Scene, unidentified -- Within temple, Virgin Mary, holding Christ Child, nude, kneels before draped altar with retable depicting three figures. She is flanked by two women, one of whom is nimbed and veiled. Figures are viewed from behind.
Lower border:
Christ: Circumcision -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, supports Christ Child, cross-nimbed, nude, on draped altar. She is followed by group of female figures, including Prophetess Anna, nimbed, veiled. Mohel, nimbed, holding knife in right hand, grasps genitals of Christ Child in left hand. High priest, wearing vestments, places both hands on altar. Five male figures with joined hands raised, including Joseph the Carpenter supporting himself with crutch, look on.