Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita Christi (Life of Christ)
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1487-1490
MS M.894 fol. 94r

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Christ: Parable, Lazarus and Dives -- Lazarus, wearing hat and ragged clothes, lies on steps of house, holding up bowl to man, wearing cap, in doorway. At right, within house, Dives, wearing fur-trimmed robes, sits at table beneath canopy, with woman, wearing headdress, beside him. Plates of food and salt cellar on table. Two boys, the larger one carrying tray (?), face Dives across table. Two men, wearing hats with plumes, gesturing, stand in front of table, facing away from it, and two men, one wearing hat, the other holding tray, enter from doorway at left side of room. Scene inside house, with arched leaded glass window and niche in wall containing salt cellar.
In background at left, in sky, half figure of Abraham, nimbed, wearing gold hat, rays as nimbus around body, holds napkin upon which rests half figure of Lazarus, nude, with joined hands raised. Below, surrounded by flames, Devil, horned, grasps hair of Dives, nude, looking toward Abraham and Lazarus. Face peers around corner of house (hell).
Illustration of Luke 16:19-31.