Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Single leaf, Débat entre deux dames
France, Paris, between 1527 and 1530
MS M.1176. Verso

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Débat Entre Deux Dames: Scene, Judgment of the Count of Tancarville -- In foreground, Count of Tancarville, wearing broad, plumed hat and fur-lined garment, on left hand is perched hawk and with right hand extending letter into extended right hand of messenger, with left hand holding hat. The count stands in courtyard behind wooden rail and before arched portal of building showing upper body of dog on tiled floor and man and woman, wearing headgear, behind balcony.
On upper balcony of building decorated with portrait medallions of busts of crowned woman and helmeted soldier, half figure of man, wearing hat. Another building decorated with putto, holding shield.
In background left, woman, wearing headdress, emerging from arched portal of gate, gestures toward man, partly kneeling, with right hand extended and with left hand holding hat. To right on path, identical man, wearing hat, mounted on bridled horse. In middle ground, groom, wearing plumed hat, with right hand holding staff and with left hand extended toward upper body of bridled horse; hilly landscape and trees.
Miniature within elaborate architectural frame decorated with head of winged putto and two putti supporting ornamental placard below.