Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 28v

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Miniature, left compartment: Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Miracle of Grain -- Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, bearded and tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, raises right hand in blessing and lowers left hand, accompanied by eleven monks, wearing hooded habits (six with only heads visible), all before draped table laden with two pitchers, two dishes, three knives, and five round loaves. Scene in room with door at right and wooden ceiling. Miniature, right compartment: Before monastery portal, one of two monks, wearing hooded habits, raises hands, and the other with joined hands raised, stand beside several sacks of grain; in monastery garden with two trees and wall in background. Miniature within frame at end of Chapter 21 of Book II of Dialogues; 200 sacks of grain appear before the door of the monastery fulfilling the prophecy of Benedict of Montecassino. Above miniature, frame inscribed, BENEDICAT DEUE ESCHAS PERSENTES ET COMEDENTES. SI PLUS PORTETUR BENEDICTIO MULTI PLICETUR (?).