Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
France, ca. 1260
MS M.109 fol. 1r

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Jerome, nimbed, tonsured, hooded, wearing Benedictine habit, is seated at writing table on bench within trefoil arch. He writes with pen on parchment. To his left, male figure, nimbed, tonsured, is seated in chair at writing table under curtain draped around peg. He glances at pen held in raised right hand and holds scraper in his left hand. Both figures are nimbed.
Illustration for beginning of Jerome, Epistle to Paulinus.
Figures within initial F decorated with foliate ornament, stem forming marginal extender.
Within stem of initial F are three medallions containing human hybrids and mermaid as musicians. The first hybrid, male, plays viol. The second hybrid, male, winged, plays pipe and tabor. Mermaid wearing berbette, plays bells, one held in each hand.