Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 13r

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Miniature, left compartment: 1) Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, sending Maurus to save Placidus -- Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, sits on throne with open book with pseudo-inscriptions on lap, extending right hand toward nimbed Maurus of Glanfeuil, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, kneeling, with arms crossed on breast. Scene in room with wooden ceiling, arched window, and arched doorway at right. Miniature, right compartment: 2) Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Placidus saved by Maurus -- Maurus of Glanfeuil, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, walks on water, lowering right hand to cowled head of Placidus of Sicily, submerged in water to waist, holding pot handle in hands, surrounded by three ducks, four herons (two flying), turtle, lion and scattered clamshells on hilly shore. Miniature within frame for beginning of Chapter 7 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino sends Maurus of Glanfeuil on a mission to save Placidus of Sicily whom he knew had fallen into water while retrieving his pot.