Commentary on the Apocalypse and commentary on the Book of Daniel
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1910
1) Apocalypse: Seal VII, Trumpets given (Revelation 8:2) -- Christ beardless, pearled nimbus, holding book, seated on cushioned bench in starred cloud mandorla, addressing seven nimbed angels holding trumpets;
2) Apocalypse: Angel with Censer (Revelation 8:3-5) -- Nimbed angel twice represented, once flying down and emptying censer, once holding censer, standing on altar; starred and decorated background; starred border; background inscribed
And I saw seven angels standing in the sight of God. And seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel approached and stood before the altar, holding a golden censer. And much incense was given to him, so he might offer upon the golden altar before God's throne the prayers of all the saints. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended, in the presence of God, from the hand of the angel. And the angel received the golden censer, filled it from the fire of the altar, and cast it down upon the earth, and there were thunders and voices and lightnings and a great earthquake. (Rev. 8:2–5)
This full-page miniature marks the beginning of seven miniatures depicting the events following the sounding of the trumpets. The angel standing on the gold altar seems to have already spilled the contents of his censer. Fire arrows fall on the earth from the censer held by the descending angel.