Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire ancienne jusqu’à César
Belgium, ca. 1460
MS M.212 fol. 7r

See more information »

Tower of Babel: Building (Genesis 11:3) -- Among four masons, wearing hats, the foremost move bricks on ground, one operates pulley which raises two bricks, one holds spade over left shoulder, and one digs with spade before two doorways of brick façade. Above on building are two other masons, wearing hats, one holds trowel. Scene in hilly landscape with water in background. Figures painted in grisaille. Margins decorated with floreate and foliate border above and below right column, including strawberry, miniature within gold frame. Initial A decorated with heraldry of the Créquy family (or, wild plum gules).