MS M.399, fol. 322v

Download image: 

Da Costa hours
Illuminated by Simon Bening (1483/84–1561)

Ghent, Belgium
ca. 1515
172 x 125 mm

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), 1910

MS M.399, fol. 322v
Description: 

Under a canopy inscribed with pseudo-inscriptions, a nimbed and veiled Anna is seated with a book on her lap and her left hand raised to her breast. Beside her, a nimbed Virgin Mary sits on the ground holding the Christ Child, who has a rayed nimbus and is grasping the book on Anna's lap. An open book on a pillow is on the ground in front of them.
In the background, a figure stands under an arbor and beside a fence on which a peacock is perched. A building is visible in the distance.
The scene is framed by a border decorated with flowers, including a pink rose, strawberries, and viola, and inhabited by caterpillars, butterflies, and a snail.

Credits: 

Image courtesy of Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz/Austria.