Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 47v

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Helenus the Hermit: Scene, commanding Crocodile and Monk requesting Protection -- To left, among group of tonsured monks, wearing monk’s habits, the foremost three with hands raised or joined hands raised, kneeling on shore of river. On opposite shore, beast-like crocodile, laying on ground before Helenus the Hermit, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with right hand lowered and with left hand holding staff.
To right, beneath nimbed angel, with right hand holding object, possibly palm, descending toward two horned and winged devils, with claw feet, issuing flames from mouths and hindquarters, beside monk, wearing hooded monk’s habit, with left hand raised to breast and with right hand extending rosary, before Helenus the Hermit, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with right hand raised and with left hand holding staff.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapter 11.