Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 11v

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Miniature, left compartment: Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Chastised Monk -- Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, tonsured, wearing hooded monk’s habit, and eight tonsured monks, wearing habits, including Maurus of Glanfeuil and Placidus of Sicily, all kneel toward left beneath hanging lamp and before draped altar, on which are chalice and paten, and crucifix above on wall. One monk looks toward portal in which winged devil pulls hooded habit of monk, beside hexagonal font in which is aspergil; tree in garden. Scene in chapel of monastery with arched window, wooden ceiling and two arches in foreground. Miniature, right compartment: Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, raises scourge with right hand above tonsured monk, partly wearing habit, bare to waist with bleeding wounds on his back, kneeling with joined hands raised. Scene in monastery room with arched window, wooden ceiling and door to right. Miniature within frame for beginning of Chapter 4 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino reformed a monk who would not stay at his prayers.