Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

De amicitia
Italy, Rome, ca. 1495
M.882 fol. 1r

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Emperor of Rome -- Roman Emperor, wearing armor, raises left hand. Behind him is soldier, wearing helmet. At right are seven soldiers, wearing armor and helmets. Scene is behind initial Q, which hangs by rope from roll.
Margins are decorated with flowers, putti, masks, vases, pair of doves, rudders, and garland of red beads. Scrolls contain the inscriptions SIC PERPETUO and HOC OPUS.
In lower margin is architectural border decorated with escutcheon upon which are arms of Raffaello Riario (fess azure and or, a cinquefoil or on the first, surmounted by a cross and red hat). The motto HOC OPUS, HUMANA FLUCTUANT surrounds rudders in roundels that flank the escutcheon.