Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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

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Miniature, upper left: 1) Christ: Parable, Prodigal Son (Luke 15:12) -- Before entrance to building, bearded man extends sack with both hands to extended hands of youthful son, wearing short tunic, accompanied by man and veiled woman gesturing. Miniature, lower left: 2) Christ: Parable, Prodigal Son (Luke 15:30) -- Son, wearing short tunic and spurs on feets, extends left hand to extended left hand of woman (possibly prostitute), before bridled horse and entrance to building. Miniature, upper right: 3) Christ: Parable, Prodigal Son (Luke 15:25) -- Six men and women, in pairs, dancing beside two musicians, one playing trumpets and one playing recorder. Miniature, lower right: 4) Christ: Parable, Prodigal Son (Luke 15:15-16) -- Son, in tattered clothing, holding walking staff with hands, looks toward five swine, four eating from trough. Tree in background. Miniatures are proofs for Bernhart Richel’s Spiegel der Menschlichen Behältnis (Basel: 1476) with biblical quotes, commentary and abbreviated extracts, written in German, for The Parable of the Prodigal Son as an extension to Chapter 42.