Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 116r

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Basil the Great: Text, Unidentified -- At left, accompanied by group of men, the foremost wearing cap, extending hands toward woman, with both hands extended toward nun, veiled with wimple, wearing nun’s habit, accompanied by group of veiled nuns (only heads visible), standing in trefoil arch of doorway to possibly cross-surmounted covent, with bell tower.
In center, man, with sword in scabbard tied at waist raising left hand toward another man, possibly magician, wearing turban-like headgear, with right hand holding scroll and with left hand raised.
At far right, man, seated on sarcophagus with claw feet, raising left hand toward flying horned devil with claw feet, issuing flames from mouth and hindquarters.
Scenes in common landscape framed by two trees.
Illustration of unidentified text, possibly Homily of Basil the Great