Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 33r

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Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Unfaithful Monk and Dragon -- Emerging from door of monastery, among four monks, two tonsured and two wearing hooded habits, two extend hands toward tonsured monk, wearing habit, with both hands raised, looking back toward winged dragon with claw feet and flames issuing from its mouth. Scene in hilly landscape with fruit tree, trees and bushes. Miniature within frame at beginning of Chapter 25 of Book of II of Dialogues; A monk of inconstant and fickle mind was ordered to depart the monastery, only to encounter a dragon outside the monastery gate.