Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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

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Basil the Great: Text, Unidentified -- At left, horned and winged devil, issuing flames from head, mouth, and feet, seated on throne, neck bound by chains, legs crossed and with right hand indicating scroll with pseudo-inscriptions, confronted by two other identical devils flanking man, gesturing.
In center, within room, group of men (most with only heads visible) accompany man, wearing cap, gesturing toward couple, partly embracing, the woman raising right hand to cheek.
At far right, Basil the Great, nimbed, mitered, wearing bishop’s vestments, with left hand holding crozier, and with right hand raised in blessing toward couple, with joined hands raised, kneeling.
Scenes in common landscape framed by two trees.
Illustration of unidentified text, possibly Homily of Basil the Great.