Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
Germany, probably Nuremberg, between 1350 and 1400
MS M.140 fol. 19v

See more information »

Left column:
Christ: confounding Soldiers -- Christ, crossed nimbus, right hand on breast, holding book with left hand, stands looking toward group of 7 (?) soldiers, six reclining, five wearing helmets, two with shields, one with knife at waist. The seventh soldier, wearing helmet, holding spear with right hand, and small round shield (buckler) with left hand, stands, looking toward Christ. Judas stands at left, behind Christ.
Caption, IHC P(RO)STRAUIT OM(NI)S HOSTES SUOS UNO U(ER)BO, is inscribed above miniature.
Right column:
Samson: slaying Philistines -- Samson, raising jawbone of ass with right hand, stepping on body of Philistine, grasps head of another Philistine crouching amid bleeding bodies on ground. Some wear helmets; two shields next to bodies.
Caption, SAMPSON ST(RA)UIT MILLE UIROS CU(M) MA(N)DIBULA ASINI, is inscribed above miniature.