Item Info

Script: Gothic bookhand
Language: Latin
Folio Number: ff. 47v-48r
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Flight into Egypt
Notes: This miniature marks the beginning of None of the Hours of the Virgin. The auxiliary scenes in the background refer to apocryphal legends that became popular in the late Middle Ages. The fall of the idols refers to a moment during the Holy Family's flight from Herod's persecutions. Seeking shelter, the Virgin and Joseph brought the Christ Child into a pagan temple. At his arrival, the idols fell from their pedestals and shattered against the ground as a sign of the Christ Child's supremacy. The second scene makes reference to a miracle in which seed that was planted immediately after the Holy Family had passed by a farmer in his field grew overnight to cover their trail.

In the lower band of the decorative border, the initials P and M are intertwined within a love-knot. These are likely references to the original owners of the manuscript.
Sirsi Catalog Key: 1559289
Country: Country:France
City/Town/Township:Paris

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1499
Image Dimensions Width: 184 mm
ShelfMark: Lewis E 97