Da Costa hours
Illuminated by Simon Bening (1483/84–1561)
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), 1910
Five angels present Instruments of Passion to the Christ Child, who has a rayed nimbus and is seated on a pillow on grass. The first angel holds a nail in her left hand and points to His right foot with her right hand. The second angel holds a spear in her left hand and points to His side with her right hand. The third angel places a crown of thorns on His head. The Christ Child raises His right hand toward the crown. The fourth angel holds a cross. The fifth angel holds His left hand in her left hand. With her right hand, she holds a nail above His left hand. The miniature begins the prayer O dulcissime Domine Iesu Christi.
The miniature and text are framed by a border decorated with flowers in vases, including columbine, a pink, and a rose.
Image courtesy of Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz/Austria.