Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Antiquitates Judaicae
France, Dijon, late 13th century
MS M.533 fol. 82v

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Initial D enclosing:
1) David: petitioned by Bathsheba -- Bathsheba, crowned, with joined hands raised, kneels before David, crowned, raising right hand, holding sword with left hand, seated on bench.
2) David: Charge to Solomon -- David, crowned, holding sword with right hand, gesturing with raised left hand is seated on bench looking toward Solomon, crowned, astride bridled horse, raising right hand.
3) Solomon: visited by Queen of Sheba -- Solomon, crowned, holding sword with right hand, raising left hand, is seated on bench. He looks toward Queen of Sheba, crowned, gesturing with both hands, standing before him. Three women stand behind her.
4) Solomon: Judgment -- Solomon, crowned, holding sword with right hand, raising left hand, is seated on bench. One of two women, holding swaddled infant kneels before him; the other woman, raising right hand and indicating the infant with left hand, stands behind her.
Initial decorated foliate ornament and fantastic animal biting top of initial.
Beginning of Book 8, Chapter 1 of Josephus, Antiquitates Judaicae.