IM-10430: (140x93mm) Original manuscript leaf from an unusual richly illuminated Prayer-book in the style of a Biblia Pauperum. Written in German
and Latin on animal vellum. Southern Germany, c. 1600
The full-page miniature painting depicts Christ Before Herod. Haloed Christ enters the room with his hands bound, pushed forward by armed guards toward the crowned king Herod, seated on a throne. The dog present in the lower left is a play on Matthew 7:6 ("Do not give what is holy to the dogs"), referring to people who are enemies of the gospel, as opposed to those who are merely unbelievers. The dog represents Herod Antipas, who heard John gladly, but then beheaded him and again here appears glad to see Christ (Luke 23:8). The elaborate architectural interior is in keeping with this period of the Renaissance – including the rich marble columns.
Verso contains a small painting and verse reminiscent of the Emblem books, which were very popular at this time. It depicts the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) - a sideways reference to John the Baptist who announced "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. The verse referenced at the bottom is Ecclesiastes 3:7 "A time to keep silence, and a time to speak". |