MS G.55 fol. 130v

Download image: 

Hours of Pierre de Bosredont

France, Langres
ca. 1465
157 x 113 mm

Gift of the Trustees of the William S. Glazier Collection, 1984

MS G.55 fol. 130v
Description: 

Miniature: Christ: Crucifixion — A cross-nimbed Christ, wearing a crown of thorns and a short loincloth, is affixed by three nails to a cross surmounted by titulus INRI. His eyes are closed, and His head is inclined. Blood runs down the cross and trails onto the ground. Christ is flanked by two men each bound to a cross. Above are the sun and moon amid stars in the sky. On the ground are a skull and other bones.
Medallions (top to bottom, left to right)::
1) Christ: Nativity — A nimbed Christ Child raising His right hand lies amid rays on the corner of a bed that is flanked by the Virgin Mary and Joseph the Carpenter. Mary is nimbed, is kneeling, and has joined hands. Joseph is kneeling and has joined hands. In the background, a bed is behind the Virgin Mary, and to right are an ass and an ox at the manger. Only the head of the ox is visible. The scene is set under a roof with holes. A star above emits rays that come through a hole in the roof and touch the Christ Child.
2) Christ: Betrayal and Arrest; and Apostle, Peter: Cutting off Ear of Malchus — A cross-nimbed Christ is kissed by Judas. At left, a nimbed Peter holds a sword with both hands. Malchus is on the ground before him. At right is a group of five(?) soldiers who are wearing helmets and holding spears.
3) Christ: Flagellation — A cross-nimbed Christ wearing a short loincloth stands in front of a column with His hands bound behind Him. He is flanked by two torturers, one holding withes with both hands and the other raising a scourge with both hands.
4) Christ: before Pilate — Pilate, wearing a hat, is seated on a throne, his right hand indicating the cross-nimbed Christ, whose hands are bound. He is flanked and held by two soldiers wearing helmets and armor.
The border is inscribed FACTUS EST OBEDIENS USQUE AD MORTEM MORTEM AUTEM CRUCIS DANIEL from NT, Philippians 02:08, and DI CHOSSON DE NIBORO, motto of Pierre de Bosredont. The margins are decorated with floreate ornament. Split between the left and right margins is a monogram of the initials A and P, each with a loop of a love knot. The heraldic shield of Pierre de Bosredont (quarterly vair and gules) is in the lower margin.