The Nativity of Christ

This page is from the gradual (a book containing the hymns of a Mass) of Jeanne de Boubais, Abbess of the Convent at Flines. The abbess was a loyal patron of Bellegambe’s and her convent was located near his home town of Douai. In addition to the diptych in this collection, she is known to have commissioned "The Le Cellier Altarpiece," a triptych by Bellegambe now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The page, which features the music and text for the Introit (opening hymn) for the Mass on Christmas day, is appropriately illustrated with stories related to the coming of Christ. The first words of the text, “Puer est natus,” translate as “a child is born.” The left border features the coat of arms of Jeanne de Boubais.