Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 41v

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, India -- In upper left, among busts of dragon, with tongue protruding, unicorn and elephant, is animal, possibly bear, with painted coat. In upper center, three men, wearing hats or turban-like headgear, gesture in conversation with each other beside group of three Cynocephalus, gesturing. In upper right, heads of four dragons, with tongues protruding, emerge behind rock toward two nude woman, and at far right, four maidens beneath trees. In foreground left, two men, with right hands raise fruit to mouths, one also raises left hand toward fruit in tree, beside four ducks (possibly two two-headed?). In foreground center, among group of six men, wearing garments of skins, some with heads still attached, all with feet reversed, two gesture in conversation and two raise arms toward animal, possibly sheep, departing on rocky ledge. In foreground right, nude man raises knife with right hand to pierce own breast, bleeding; bearded centaur gestures standing on pedestal; nude female steps into pyre in which is reclining figure, amid flames, beside group of four men, wearing hats. At far right, among four men, bodies covered in hair, one wearing armor (?) on back, two on shore raise fish to mouths with left hand and with right hand hold fish; another man, partly submerged in water, holds fish with left hand. Scene in hilly landscape with trees in background. Initial I of Inde decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for Livre de Merveilles du Monde for India.