Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Roman de la Rose
France, possibly Paris, ca. 1405
MS M.245 fol. 11r

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Miniature in right column:
Roman de la Rose: Scene, Lover at Fountain of Narcissus -- Lover, wearing cap, embraces female figure, beside tree in which is bust of crowned God of Love (Eros), above reflection of his crowned head in wellhead of Narcissus.
Jacqueline Thibault Schaefer has pointed out that the depiction of two lovers, crowned king in the tree, and the king’s reflection in the fountain has been recycled from the Tryst of Tristan and Iseut, King Mark’s reflection warning Tristan that he is being spied upon.
Scene against patterned floreate background within gold frame sprouting foliage, at right of which is scroll, inscribed in red and blue, OR VOYEZ CESTE COMPAIGNIE CEST NARCISUS ET S’AMIE.
Below miniature, gold initial N with blue pen flourishes at beginning of text, NARCISUS FU UN DAMOISAUX / QUI AMOURE TINT EN SES REMAUX / …