Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Compilatio historiarum / Giovanni, da Udine
Switzerland, Basel, ca. 1476
MS M.158 fol. 34v

See more information »

Mini ature, upper left: 1) Christ: Washing of Feet -- Christ, cross-nimbed, kneels beside basin of water, extending hands to extended left foot of apostle, possibly Apostle Peter, nimbed, seated, raising right hand and looking toward group of twelve nimbed apostles (some with only nimbi visible), gesturing, one with joined hands raised. Scene in room with vaulted ceiling and tiled floor. Miniature, lower left: 2) Christ: in Gethsemane -- Beneath rays, three nimbed apostles, eyes closed, leaning on stones, beside kneeling Christ, cross-nimbed, with joined hands raised, looking up toward cliff on which is chalice surmounted by cross-inscribed host. In background, among two helmeted soldiers, one holds mace and one holds bannered lance, both follow Judas wearing money sack tied around neck, emerging from wattle-fence. Miniature, upper right: 3) Christ: confounding Soldiers -- Christ, cross-nimbed, touches left hand to breast and extends right hand toward five soldiers, wearing helmets and armor, reclining on ground, two with eyes closed and one holding flaming torch and one holding mace with sword tied to belt. Miniature, lower right: 4) Samson: slaying Philistines -- Samson, wearing armor, raises jawbone with left hand, tramples group of five soldiers and men, some with eyes closed, all reclining on ground. Scene in landscape with city in background. Miniatures for Richel’s Spiegel der Menschlichen Behältnis (Basel: 1476) with biblical quotes, commentary and abbreviated extracts, in German, for and extended Chapters 16 (Christ: Washing of Feet and Christ: in Gethsemane) and 17 in the Speculum Humanae Salvationis.