Hours of the Cross and scenes from the Pilgrimage of the Human Life
Texts and Images
A large Crucifixion miniature opens the Hours of the Cross which marked the specific times of the day associated with the stages in Christ’s Passion. The short version included in this volume has offices for seven rather than eight canonical hours. Every page has a marginal miniature from the cycle illustrating the French poem Pilgrimage of the Human Life.
Crucifixion (Hours of the Cross, Matins)
This miniature is by the most accomplished associate who assisted the Giac, Rohan and Madonna Masters with the provision of the main images. He designed a sophisticated composition, densely populated by fine, minute figures. It presents sequential moments in Christ’s Passion: the nailing to the cross, followed by the Crucifixion. The marginal scene illustrates the Pilgrimage of the Human Life cycle. The arms of Isabella Stuart have been added within the initial.