Crucifixion from the Coëtivy Hours

Dunois Master, attributed to

Folio with three-quarter page miniature from a book of hours attributed to the Dunois Master, written in Latin and French in a bastarda script, made in Paris and dated 1443–1445. It was commissioned by Prigent de Coëtivy (1399?–1450) on the occasion of his marriage to Marie de Rais (1429–1457). Removed from the bound volume between 1933 and 1960. Following the calendar, Gospel lessons and Passion story are the mixed Hours of the Virgin (8), Holy Cross (7) and Holy Spirit (7). Beneath rubrics in red, None of the Holy Cross opens with the illuminated initial 'D' (Deus in adiutorium meum intende) painted with white, red, blue and gold ivy-leaf ornament. The miniature is painted in demi-grisaille with pigments and gold and depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus. On the left, a swooning or fainting Mary is aided by John the Evangelist. They are accompanied by two female disciples and Longinus, the soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a lance. A Roman soldier on the right recognises the divine nature of Christ and turns to the Pharisee at his side. The sun and moon above represent the eclipse that occurred during the Crucifixion. The skull beneath is a reference to the name of site in Hebrew, Golgotha, meaning skull. In the right margin, soldiers appear to recognise Christ while soldiers in the lower margin cast lots (roll dice) for Jesus's clothing, pulling at each other's hair as they quarrel. One of the soldiers is not included on the verso.