Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.625 fol. 45v

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1) and 2) Mutius of Egypt: Scene, rejecting Wealth and taking Loaf -- Above in sky, flying winged and horned devil, with claw feet, extending hands toward dish, goblet and round objects, possibly coins. Below, Mutius of Egypt, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, sitting beside small pool and plants, extending hands to round loaf in extended hands of man.
3) Mutius of Egypt: Scene, blessing Soil -- In center, before cross-surmounted building, Mutius of Egypt, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, raising left hand and with right hand grasping handle of basket also held by man, extending his left hand.
4) Mutius of Egypt: Scene, Brethren dreaming of Book -- At right, nimbed and tonsured monk, wearing monk’s habit, laying on ground, with head propped on right hand. Above, half-figure of Christ, cross-nimbed, descending, with both hands lowering open book with pseudo-inscriptions.
Scenes in common landscape.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapter 9.