Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vita S. Benedicti
Italy, perhaps in Padua, ca. 1450
MS M.184 fol. 42r

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Miniature, left compartment: Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, sending News of Death of Germanus -- Benedict of Montecassino, nimbus with rays, tonsured and bearded, wearing monk’s habit, sits on bench, raising left hand and extending message with pseudo-inscriptions in right hand toward extended right hand of Servandus the Deacon, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, emerging, from arched doorway at right, holding lantern in left hand, they are accompanied by one tonsured monk, seated on the bench, holding candle in left hand. Scene in room with walled niche in which are shelves of books and covered vessel, among other objects; wooden ceiling. Miniature, right compartment: Servandus the Deacon, wearing hooded habit, departs to right through arched doorway, holding lantern with right hand. In background, kettle hangs by pothook in walled niche beside towel suspended from handle; landscape with tree beyond door. Miniature within frame end of Chapter 35 of Book II of Dialogues; Benedict of Montecassino wants to have witness to his vision (see fol. 41v) and calls on Servandus the Deacon to deliver a message to Theoprobus of Montecassino so he may know of Germanus of Capua’s death.