Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 72v

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1) Sabas of Jerusalem: Scene, Miracle of healing Demoniac Woman -- At left, woman, wearing cap, with arms crossed on breast, partly crouching in blood (?), out of her back issuing horned and winged devil, issuing flames from hindquarters, both before Sabas of Jerusalem, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with right hand raised in blessing and with left hand holding book.
2) Sabas of Jerusalem: Scene, Death -- In center, body of Sabas of Jerusalem, nimbed, eyes closed, carried on shoulders of three monks, all tonsured and wearing habits.
3) Sabas of Jerusalem: Scene, Obsequies -- At far right, within building, group of tonsured monks (most with only heads visible), all wearing monk’ s habits, at least six hold lit candles, one reading from open book with pseudo-inscriptions, and one with mouth opened (chanting); all surround draped bed of Sabas of Jerusalem, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with hands crossed at waist.
Scenes in common landscape.
Illustration of Cyril of Scythopolis, Life of Sabas, Chapters 62 and 76.