Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire universelle depuis la Création jusqu’a César
France, ca. 1390-1400
MS M.516 fol. 13r

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Creation Scene: 1st Day -- In upper left quadrant, Christ-Logos, crossed nimbus, stands on earth (?) holding large compass with left hand, raising right hand toward stars in sky. Background is decorated with diaper pattern. Creation Scene: 4th Day -- In upper right quadrant, Christ-Logos, crossed nimbus, is flanked by two trees. He extends left hand to sun and with his right hand he indicates moon. Below him is stream, in which are fish and eel (representing work of 5th day ?). In sky are stars. Background is decorated with diaper pattern. Creation Scene: 6th Day -- Christ-Logos, crossed nimbus, stands on island surrounded by stream. He extends right hand toward Adam with joined hands, emerging from ground; He holds fish in left hand. In foreground are stag, dog, unicorn and serpent (snake). In sky are stars. Background is decorated with diaper pattern. Adam and Eve: Fall of Man -- Serpent with female head (Lilith), coiled around tree with fruit, is flanked by Eve, nude, with right hand raised and holding fruit in extended left hand, and by Adam, nude, extending right hand. Behind tree is fountain. In sky are stars. Background is decorated with diaper pattern. Margins are decorated with floreate border.