Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 19v

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, Crete -- To left, on water, ship with sail and mast holds at least five men, one wearing hat, one climbing ropes, and three in crow’s nest. In center foreground, seated on shore, bearded man, wearing hat, holds object, possibly fruit, with right hand, beside two fruit trees. To right, in scriptorium, man, wearing hat, sits on bench at circular desk, reads from book supported in hands, another closed book on desk and two other books are on shelf in background. He is accompanied by two other men, one wearing hat, reading from scroll with pseudo-inscriptions and the other, bearded, sitting and supporting open book on right knee, possibly holding pen with right hand. To far right, another building with two helmets affixed to exterior and with chainmail slung over pole in the entrance, in which is smith, raising hammer with right hand and with left hand holding pincers to grasp helmet over anvil and wooden stool; crossbow behind him. Outside building, two other smiths, wearing hats, straddle bench holding objects, possibly tools, to polish sword blade. Scene in hilly landscape with crenellated city in background. Initial C of Crete decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for Livre de Merveilles du Monde for Crete.