Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.625 fol. 39r

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Beno, Abbot: Scene, commanding Hippopotamus and Palladius of Egypt: Scene, entering Oxyrhynchus -- Abbot Beno, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habits, seated on ground, with left hand holding staff and with right hand raised in blessing toward hippopotamus, depicted as hyena-like beast, tongue protruding. The Beno accompanied by group of seated tonsured monks, wearing monk’s habits, at least two gesturing, the foremost with rosary tied to waist.
At far right, Palladius of Egypt, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habits, embracing man, wearing cap, both accompanied by group of monks and men, some hooded, tonsured or wearing caps, all before crenellated city gate of Oxyrhynchus.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapters 4 and 5.