Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Proverbs.
Bologna, Italy, ca. 1270
MS G.38.II, fol. 001v

See more information »

Solomon: Scene, expounding Proverbs -- Solomon, crowned, holding book and switches with both hands, is seated looking toward Rehoboam wearing cap and loin cloth, possibly holding book with both hands, standing before him.
All within initial P at beginning of Proverbs.
In upper margin, two birds perching on decorated horizontal bar; curl at right enclosing bust of man wearing cap possibly blowing horn (top of page trimmed).
In left margin, standing on frame of the initial, back-turned nude man, shoulders draped, looking up open book held with raised hands (reading).
In lower margin, bird, holding round object in beak perching on foliage at left; second bird perching on foliage flanked by two medallions enclosing two men on horseback, one grasping reins with right hand, indicating the bird with left hand; the other, nude, grasping neck of horse with left hand, holding lance with right hand. Another bird perching at far right.