Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 40v

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Scholastica of Montecassino: Scene, Death -- Beneath flying dove in rayed star, representing soul of Scholastica of Montecassino, reclining on draped bier, nimbus with rays, eyes closed, wearing veiled habit, hands crossed at waist, the bier supported by four processing, tonsured monks, several other monks and three men, two wearing hats, surround the bier, eight holding lit candles, two reading from books, all led by three tonsured monks, two holding candles flanking one, holding bannered processional cross, all before Benedict of Montecassino, nimbus with rays, tonsured and bearded, wearing hooded monk’s habit, raising aspergil with right hand and holding book in left hand, accompanied by tonsured monk, wearing habit, holding pot handle with left hand, both emerging from decorated canopied doorway of monastery, with ornament of knight on horseback above in the canopy, and mounted statue of lion to right of the door. Scene in landscape with trees, including fruit and pine tree in background. Miniature within frame at end of Chapter 34 of Book II of Dialogues; Funeral of Scholastica of Montecassino.