Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Compilatio historiarum / Giovanni, da Udine
Switzerland, Basel, ca. 1476
MS M.158 fol. 28v

See more information »

Miniature, upper left: 1) Magi: Adoration -- Joseph the Carpenter, raises hat with left hand and leans on staff with right hand, behind Virgin Mary, nimbed, supporting on her lap nude Christ Child, cross-nimbed, extending hands to box held by eldest Magus, bearded, partly kneeling beside crown. In background, two other crowned Magi, hold vessels and gesture, one surmounted by cross. All before shed surmounted by Star. Miniature, lower left: 2) Magi: beholding Star -- Christ Child, nude, cross-nimbed, stands in rayed arc of Heaven with His right hand holding cross-surmounted globe and with left hand raised, above three crowned Magi, kneeling, facing each other, with joined hands raised. Buildings on hill in background. Miniature, upper right: 3) David: Water from Bethlehem -- David, name inscribed DAUID, crowned, seated on canopied throne, holds scepter with left hand and with right hand raises right forefinger toward three soldiers, wearing helmets, one with feather, two partly kneel, the foremost wearing sword fastened to belt, all hold vessels, in room with arched window. Miniature, lower right: 4) Solomon: Throne -- Solomon, crowned, raising right forefinger to left hand, is seated on throne under architectural arch, the arch held on each side by arm issuing from clouds. Below on staircase partly kneels Queen of Sheba, inscribed REGINA SABA, crowned, holding covered vessel with raised hands, flanked by six lions, some with mouths open. Miniatures for Richel’s Spiegel der Menschlichen Behältnis (Basel: 1476) with biblical quotes, commentary and abbreviated extracts, in German, of Chapter 9 in the Speculum Humanae Salvationis.