Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Compilatio historiarum / Giovanni, da Udine
Switzerland, Basel, ca. 1476
MS M.158 fol. 49r

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Miniature, upper left: 1) Virgin Mary: Coronation -- On arc of cloud, Virgin Mary, nimbed, crowned, with joined hands raised, is seated on bench facing Christ, nimbed, crowned, raising right hand in blessing, holding tripartite globe surmounted by cross with left hand; both flanked by two angels with joined hands raised. Below on another cloudy arc, are ten kneeling men, including a bishop, a pope wearing tiara, and crowned king, six with joined hands, some only heads visible. Miniature, lower left: 2) Solomon: visited by Queen of Sheba -- Queen of Sheba, crowned, raising both hands, stands before Solomon, crowned, holding scepter with left hand, seated on throne. Miniature, upper right: 3) Ahasuerus: Esther’s Feast -- Behind draped table, Esther, crowned, looks toward Ahasuerus, crowned, his hands on the table on which are cups, loaves (?), and covered container. Esther and Ahasuerus are flanked by woman, wearing headdress, and man, wearing hat. Before the table are two musicians, playing lute, recorder and drum flanking third man carrying tray on which is covered vessel. Miniature, lower right: 4) Job: Sons and Daughters feasting -- Three men and four women, veiled or wearing headdress, surround bearded Job, wearing hat, standing or sitting on benches at round draped table on which are three bowls containing food, meat and loaves (?) Some lean on the table; others reach for food, some are in conversation. Miniatures are proofs for Bernhart Richel’s Spiegel der Menschlichen Behältnis (Basel: 1476) with biblical quotes, commentary and abbreviated extracts, written in German, for Chapter 42 of the Speculum Humanae Salvationis.