Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

La vérité à la place des ombres
France, Paris, 1679
MS M.21 fol. 6r

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Surrounding the title is an ornate border of acanthus leaves against a gold ground framing from the top a medallion containing a monstrance. On either side are emblems of the Passion including the cross, halberds, purse, Veronica’s veil, pincers, chalices, spears, sword, banner inscribed SPOR, ladder, column, scourge and lantern. Below there are grapes and a bundle of sheaves of wheat on the left, a basket of grapes and sheaves of wheat on the right, and two baskets of flowers. Below the title there is a proliferation of musical instruments (including horns and a harp), animals (including two cows and three sheep, one with a slashed neck), a brazier, Ark of the Covenant, table and candelabrum. At the bottom there is a quatrain edged in gold against a slab of veined marble. Frame consists of alternate bands of dull and burnished gold.