Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 48r

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1) Elias the Hermit: Scene, reading -- Within arch of hermit’s cell, Elias the Hermit, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, seated on ground, reading from open book with pseudo-inscriptions.
2) Pithyrion of Thebaid: Scene, journeying to Cell and praying -- In center, Pithyrion of Thebaid, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with sack slung over right shoulder, ascending mountain. At summit, beside cross-surmounted building, is kneeling possibly another Pithyrion of Thebaid, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with joined hands raised.
3) Ammon of Nitria: Scene, overcoming Demons -- At right, before cross-surmounted building, monk, possibly Ammon of Nitria, nimbed, wearing hooded monk’s habit, seated on ground beneath descending nimbed angel, with right hand holding instrument, prodding two of three horned and winged devils, with claw feet, flying away; scenes in landscape with building in distance.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapters 12 and 13.