Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 20r

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Miniature, left compartment: 1) Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Death of Novice -- Above, among seven tonsured monks, wearing habits, two are behind brick wall, one in right hand holds hammer to brick held in left hand, three stand on scaffold before the wall, and one leans down to look at novice monk, with wound in head and hand, on ground under falling bricks. At right, one partly kneels, with joined hands raised, amid bucket, basin, trowel, spade and axe strewn on ground, and one climbs ladder with object on shoulder (partly visible). Miniature, right compartment: 2) Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, raising Novice -- Novice monk, tonsured, wearing habit, with joined hands raised, semi-reclines in sling, held at head and foot by two other tonsured monks, wearing habits, both kneel before Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, tonsured, wearing hooded monk’s habit, raising right hand in blessing, accompanied by three monks, two tonsured and one wearing hood. Scene in room with arched door at right, three arched windows and wooden ceiling. Miniature within frame for Chapter 11 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino revives novice monk who has been crushed by a falling wall.