Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 41v

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Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, Vision of World -- Above, standing in covered balcony of monastery, Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, bearded, wearing hood monk’s habit, raises hands toward moon and starry night sky bearing rayed arc of Heaven, in which are two flying nimbed angels, supporting shoulders of and holding cloth in which stands nude soul of Germanus of Capua, with joined hands raised, all emitting rays, hovering above world in which are scattered buildings and ship on water (vision). Below the Benedict in monastery, monk, wearing hooded habit ascends staircase. Scene in monastery garden, with wellhead in which is bucket attached to rope on pulley, surrounded by buildings and walls with arched openings. Miniature within frame at beginning of Chapter 35 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino sees the whole world represented, and in it the soul of Germanus, Bishop of Capua, ascending to heaven.