Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Cas des nobles hommes et femmes malheureux
France, probably Tours, ca. 1480
MS G.35 fol. 205r

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Six scenes in continuous narrative (described counterclockwise from lower left):
1) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Fortune conversing with Boccaccio (lower left) -- In interior, Boccaccio, with name inscribed, wearing cap, sits at writing desk, with right hand indicating open book with pseudo-inscription on the desk. Outside stands Fortune, with name inscribed, wearing hennin, holding scepter in right hand, and with right hand on crank turning wheel, at top of which is crowned king, with three other figures around sides and bottom.
2) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Athenio freeing Prisoners -- Athenio, name inscribed, wearing hat, holds keys in right hand and puts left hand on shoulder of first of two prisoners or slaves, wearing hats and ragged clothes, exiting building through arched doorway. In foreground lays body of Athenio's master, bleeding from neck.
3) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Death of Marcus Livius Drusus -- Drusus, name inscribed, with hands bound sits on ground before elephant. In background is battle scene. Two armies of helmeted soldiers, some with spears or banners, face each other, including some mounted on horses, some caparisoned, and jousting with lances and shields. Bodies of fallen soldiers, some bleeding or headless, lay on ground. Tents in background.
4) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Unidentified -- Four men hang from gallows and one man hangs from tree.
5) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Death of Metellus Scipio -- Scipio, name inscribed, with hands bound, hangs from gallows above walls of city.
6) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Unidentified -- Man raises sword in right hand above kneeling tonsured priest. Scene in building, possibly church or temple with leaded glass windows and tracery decoration. To left is battle scene. Helmeted soldiers, some aiming bows and arrows and others with spears, are around base of tower, defended on top by four helmeted soldiers.
Margins with floreate and ivy-rinceaux ornament.