Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Germany, possibly Bamberg, 1204-1219
MS M.739 fol. 11r

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Zone 1:
1) Abraham: communicating with God -- Abraham, nimbed, with right hand raised, holds scroll inscribed from Genesis 18:23, SOL D(ER) RECHTE MIT DE(M) BOSEN V(ER). He stands beside nimbed angel with left forefinger raised, holding scroll inscribed from Genesis 18:24, SIN DA FUNF RECHTE SI GENESEN.
To right, two nimbed angels, one with right hand indicating Abraham at left, depart; tree.
Scene caption, inscribed DES MORGENS VARN SI VON IM DI DRI GEGEN SODOMA VNDE GOMORRA VN(DE) SAGEN IM DIE WOLLEN SIE V(ER)SENCHEN DVRCH IR BOSHEIT.
Zone 2:
2) Lot: barring Sodomites -- Two wingless of three nimbed angels sit, raising hands toward the third extending hands toward Lot at window of building, holding scroll inscribed NEMET MINE TOCHTERE VN(DE) LAT NUR MINE GESTE, addressing three men armed with sheathed swords. One holds scroll inscribed GIB UNS DIE DRI H(ER) VUR.
Scene caption, inscribed DIZ IST LOTHES HUS IN SODOMA. VN(DE) HAT ER DI DRI GEHERBERGET. SI SPRACHEN: DES NE WELLE WIWR NICHT. DO WURDEN SI BLINT SO DAZ SI D(ER) TUR NICHT VINDEN CHUNDEN.
Zone 3:
3) Sodom and Gomorrah: Destruction -- Three men fall in flaming and collapsing buildings.
Scene caption, inscribed HIE VELLET IN ABGRUNDE SODAMA VNDE GOMORRA.
4) Lot: Wife turned to Salt -- Wife of Lot, nude, wearing headdress, looking toward city, turns to pillar of salt and is licked by dog. Lot, carrying bundle on stick, and daughter, wearing headdress, depart to right.
Scene caption, inscribed DI HERREN DRI GEBUTEN LOTHE ER VN(DE) SIN WIB VNDE SINE ZV(O)O TOCHTERE. VN(DE) GEBOT IN DAZ SI NICHT UMBE SAEHEN. DO SACH SIN WIB VMBE. DAR UMBE WART SI GE V(ER)WANDELT IN EINE STEININ SUL.