Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

L’esperance ou consolation des trois vertus
France, Bourges, ca. 1525-1530
MS M.438 fol. 5r

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L’Esperance ou Consolation des Trois Vertus: Scene, Alain Chartier amid Faith, Hope, and Charity -- Alain Chartier, wearing hat, semi-reclines on canopy bed surrounded by Personification of Faith, crowned and winged, crown piercing cloud above the bed, holding with right hand, open book with seven (?) seals, facing out, and closed book under left arm, her left hand covering eyes of small figure of Personification of Knowledge, extending right hand to Chartier; Personification of Hope, holding covered jar with left hand, raising anchor with right hand, piercing the cloud; back-turned or veiled Personification of Nature; Personification of Charity, wearing headdress, and gown covered with objects, probably alms boxes. At side of bed stand Personifications of Despair, with wild curling hair, Fury holding Tables of Law and Defiance, arms crossed on breast, possibly supporting small casket with left arm. Interior scene with door at right; cloud above the bed. Initial Q of foliate ornament on gold ground with blue flowers, probably bellflower (campanula).