Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Histoire ancienne jusqu’à César
Belgium, ca. 1460
MS M.212 fol. 50r

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Legend, Thebes: Infant Oedipus nailed to Tree -- In forest, two men, possibly soldiers, one wearing conical hat, holds spear in left hand, and one wearing hat, with sword in scabbard tied at waist, raises his right hand toward nude youth Oedipus, with joined hands raised, hanging upside-down by rope tied at feet to tree. Scene in landscape with trees. Figures painted in grisaille. Margins decorated with floreate and foliate border above and below right column, including strawberry, miniature within gold frame. Illustration of Book 3, History of Thebes. Initial A of Ainsi decorated with heraldry of the Créquy family (or, wild plum gules).