Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 66r

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1) Rufinus of Aquileia, De Vitis Patrum, Chapter 36: Illustration -- Monk, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, seated on bench, with both hands holding open book with pseudo-inscriptions before group of five nimbed angels (most with only nimbi visible), the foremost with arms crossed on breast. In foreground, three swine, some winged (?).
2) Arsenius of Scete: Scene, shown Labors of Man -- In center, tonsured monk, wearing monk’s habit, with right hand raised to face of Arsenius of Scete, as soldier, wearing helmet and full armor.
At far right, among two horned and winged demons, with claw feet, wearing tunics, one bending to gather bundle of sticks, the other raising axe beside tree. Two men, mounted on horse, on left shoulders resting large pole, all entering door of building, possibly temple. In foreground, half-figure of tonsured man, possibly monk, wearing monk’s habit, lowering vessel to pool of water.
Scenes in common landscape.
Illustration at end of Rufinus of Aquileia, De Vitis Patrum, Chapters 36 and 37.