Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 29r

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Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, sending Monks to Terracina -- Bridled horse (partly visible), is tied to tree, beside group of nine monks, two are tonsured and the others wear hooded habits (five with only heads visible), the foremost monk’s left wrist grasped by youthful male, wearing hat and spurs, raising left forefinger, before Benedict of Montecassino, nimbus with rays, bearded and tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, emerging from door of monastery with right hand extended, possibly indicating monks. Scene in hilly landscape with trees. Miniature within frame for Chapter 22 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino appoints monks to the building of a new abbey at Terracina.