Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Picture Bible
France, Paris, ca. 1244-1254
MS M.638 fol. 23v

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Zone 1:
Saul: Defeat of Ammonites -- Saul, crowned, wearing visor, with heraldic shield (or lion rampant sable) in left hand and sword in right hand, cleaves head of Nahash, crowned, amid soldiers in mail, some wearing visors. In combat, they are armed with swords and shields, some heraldic (or an orle sable), and with mace and axe. All are mounted on horses, two caparisoned; some trample on fallen soldiers. Some soldiers ride through city gate above which is archer shooting soldiers; man hangs from trebuchet sling (outside frame). Illustration of I Samuel 11:11.
Zone 2:
1) Saul: proclaimed King -- Five Israelites stand behind Samuel, his head draped, pouring oil from vessel of affusion on head of Saul, crowned, with scepter in left hand, seated on animal faldstool ("sella curulis") with footstool; five men stand at right.
2) Scene, Sacrificial -- To right, one of six men holds lamb in draped left hand; they stand behind Samuel, head draped, standing, raising lamb over draped altar and looking up at head of Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, emerging from clouds. In foreground, man with knife stabs throat of lamb, letting blood into goblet. Illustration of I Samuel 11:15.
Scenes with architectural frames.