Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire ancienne jusqu’à César
Belgium, ca. 1460
MS M.212 fol. 147r

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Scene, Historical: Battle between Rome and Tarentino -- Helmeted Tarentine soldiers, attack three out of five Roman ships on water, the foremost partly sunk with bodies of six men, some helmeted, intertwined above ruins, above on deck helmeted soldier stands with both hands raised. In ship beside them, three musicians play trumpets (?), stand on the ship’s deck, above group of 13 (?) helmeted soldiers, most holding spears, one holding bow and arrow. In background, two of the ships are docked and large group of figures stand on the ship or shore, one on horseback. Scene in landscape with city in background, against gold sky. Figures painted in grisaille. Margins decorated with floreate and foliate border above and below left column, including strawberries, miniature within gold frame. Initial D of Dit decorated with foliate and floreate ornament.