Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 80v

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Athanasius, Patriarch: Scene, teaching -- Patriarch Athanasius, nimbed, mitered, wearing vestments, seated on draped faldstool of the animal type, with right hand extended toward Antiochus, kneeling with joined hands raised, looking back over left shoulder.
At right, group of six nimbed angels (most with only nimbi visible), among the foremost two, one plays viol and one with open mouth, possibly chanting, and with left hand holding lily; lillies and rose growing to left of them; all possibly representing Personification of Heaven or Paradise.
At far right, horned and winged Hell Mouth, with heads of men in jaws, issuing flames from all orifices and from beneath it, possibly representing Personification of Hell.
Scenes in common landscape.
Illustration of Patriarch Athanasius, Doctrina Ad Antiochum Ducem.