Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
Italy, Padua, ca. 1287-1300
MS M.436 fol. 1r

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Initial:
Jerome, nimbed, is seated on bench with two cushions. He rests left hand on open book with pseudo-inscription on lectern and with right hand grasps scroll with pseudo-inscription held with both hands by small figure at right.
Figures within initial F decorated with foliate ornament inhabited by head fo fantastic animal within roundel of vine; head with ears like ass; dragon, forming lower bar of initial F, on whose back Jerome rests his feet; bearded man, his hair drawn up into flower, with animal like ears, raising right hand, holding book with left hand; youthful man as caryatid, supporting the bearded man.
Margins:
Foliate ornament inhabited by conical head of man. Heraldry of Contarini family (Or three bendlets azure). Two roundels each enclosing half figure of man, one raising right hand and holding book with left hand. Bird with wings spread.
Beginning of Jerome's Epistle to Paulinus.