Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 36r

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Benedict of Montecassino: Miracle of Oil Flask -- Above in arched window of monastery, tonsured monk lowers right hand and looks down toward oil flask, amid stones and bricks. In center, surrounded by monastery walls with arched portal and windows, tonsured monk, wearing habit, with arms crossed on breast, is beside Benedict of Montecassino, nimbus with scallops, bearded, wearing hooded monk’s habit, gesturing toward six tonsured monks (three with only heads visible), wearing habits, all in grassy garden with plants and tree in background. Miniature within frame at end of Chapter 28 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino ordered the disobedient monk to throw the oil flask out the window; it miraculously does not break.