Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita Christi (Life of Christ)
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1440
MS M.649 fol. 5r

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Zone 1:
1) Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross nimbed, eyes closed, head inclined, bleeding from wounds in hands and feet, wearing loin cloth, is affixed with three nails to cross with titulus inscribed INRI. He is flanked by Longinus, wearing pointed hat, holding spear with right hand and raising left hand, and by Centurion wearing hat, holding spear, accompanied by two other soldiers, wearing helmets, one in armor with sword at his waist. On ground below cross are skull and bones.
2) Moses: Serpent of Brass -- Serpent (dragon) is on top of pole; group of men and women look up from below. Behind group is Moses (?) with hands joined and raised. Scene is in architectural setting.
Zone 2:
1) Christ: Crucifixion -- Christ, cross nimbed, eyes closed, wearing loin cloth, bleeding from wounds in hands and feet, is affixed with three nails to cross with titulus inscribed INRI. Longinus, kneeling on one knee, pierces His side with spear. They are flanked by two thieves, wearing loin cloths, each with arms bent over top of tau-cross, and legs bent and bleeding. Personfication of Soul, as small figure, emerges from mouth of thief Dysmas, at left. Bones and skull are on ground.
2) Absalom: Death -- Joab, wearing hat, holding spear with both hands, stabs Absalom in chest. He is hanging by hair in tree, right hand raised, left hand indicating Joab. At right is tail end of horse in trees. Scene set in landscape of trees and bushes.