Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

L’esperance ou consolation des trois vertus
France, Bourges, ca. 1525-1530
MS M.438 fol. 51v

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L’Esperance ou Consolation des Trois Vertus: Scene, Alain Chartier amid Faith, Hope, and Charity -- Alain Chartier, wearing hat, reclines on canopy bed. In the foreground, next to the bed, Personification of Faith, crowned and winged, crown piercing cloud above the bed, holds face out with right hand open book with seven (?) seals, holding another book under left arm; Personification of Hope, raising anchor with left hand, piercing the cloud, extends covered jar in right hand toward smaller figure of Personification of Knowledge, extending left hand to Hope. At far left, by open door, stands Personification of Charity, wearing headdress, and gown decorated with alms boxes or books. On far side of bed are Personifications of Despair, with wild curling hair, holding knife with right hand, Fury holding Tables of Law, and Defiance, wearing headdress. Initial B of foliate ornament on gold ground decorated with floreate ornament.