Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Compilatio historiarum / Giovanni, da Udine
Switzerland, Basel, ca. 1476
MS M.158 fol. 30v

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Miniature, upper left: 1) Joshua: crossing Jordan -- Ark of the Covenant in form of reliquary, resting on two poles, is carried by two men, one inscribed wearing soft hat. River Jordan is in background. Miniature, lower left: 2a) Christ: Temptation, 3rd -- At right, atop mountain, Christ, cross-nimbed, raises left hand toward devil, with one horn, mask on torso and clawed feet. 2b) Christ: Temptation, 2nd -- At left, on roof of temple, Christ, cross-nimbed, crosses left hand over breast and with right hand gathers garment facing horned devil, with mouth open. 2c) Christ: Temptation, 1st -- At lower right, Christ, cross- nimbed, faces horned devil with clawed feet, both gesturing. Three stones are on ground between devil and Christ. Miniature, upper right: 3) Daniel: Destruction of Bel and Daniel: slaying Serpent -- Daniel, gestures toward niche, in which is Bel as devil, crouches holding staff, beside six pitchers. In foreground, another Daniel, raises stone in right hand and holds stone in left hand, aimed toward half-figure of dragon, with mouth open; animal, possibly sheep, laying on ground. Miniature, lower right: 4) David: beheading Goliath -- Head of Goliath, eyes closed, is held by lock of hair with right hand of crowned David, holding sword in left hand, he tramples headless body of the Goliath, wearing armor, holding object, possibly spear. Tree. Miniatures for Richel’s Spiegel der Menschlichen Behältnis (Basel: 1476) with biblical quotes, commentary and abbreviated extracts, in German, of Chapters 12 (Joshua: crossing Jordan) and 13 in the Speculum Humanae Salvationis.