Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Cas des nobles hommes et femmes malheureux
France, probably Tours, ca. 1480
MS G.35 fol. 279v

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Five scenes in continuous narrative (counterclockwise from middle left):
1) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Petrarch appearing to Boccaccio -- Bocccaccio, with name inscribed, wearing cap, holding scroll in left hand, reclines on canopied bed. Before him stands Petrarch, with name inscribed, wearing wreath and gesturing. Scene in interior with leaded-glass windows.
2) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Death of Commodus -- Marcia, with name inscribed, wearing headdress, strangles Commodus, name inscribed, wearing crown, laying on ground.
3) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Valerian degraded by Shapur I -- Valerian, with name inscribed, lays on ground beside his crown. On his back stands Shapur I, crowned, with name inscribed, mounting his horse.
4) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Death of Odoacer -- Odoacer, with name inscribed, crowned, bleeding from head, seated on canopied throne, slumps forward. Around him are three soldiers, including two with raised swords and one with halberd. Scene in room with tiled floor. Army of helmeted soldiers with spears and decorated banners outside building.
5) Evangelist, John: Scene, on Patmos -- John, nimbed, holding pen in raised right hand, sits with scroll with pseudo-inscription in his lap. Beside him is eagle (Evangelist Symbol). In background is castle, boat with five figures, and flames descending from sky.
Margins with floreate and ivy-rinceaux ornament.