Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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

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1) Eulogius of Egypt: Scene, giving Communion -- At far left, among group of kneeling, tonsured, monks, wearing monk’s habits, the foremost, with joined hands raised, opens mouth to receive wafer extended in left hand of Eulogius of Egypt, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with left hand hold paten filled with wafers.
2) John the Hermit, II: Scene, recognizing Devil -- Devil in guise of man, possibly clergyman, with right hand raised toward John the Hermit, II, tonsured, wearing hooded monk’s habit, with arms crossed on breast, approached from behind by horned and winged devil, issuing flames from mouth (partly damaged).
3) Apelles of Acoris: Scene, branding Devil -- Apelles of Acoris as smith, wearing hat and apron, with left hand holding hammer over anvil on log, and before flaming forge, and with right hand holding pincers, above piece of iron on face of horned and winged devil in guise of woman.
4) John the Hermit, II: Scene, healed by Angel -- John the Hermit, II, wearing hooded monk’s habit, with left hand touching breast and with right hand holding rosary, his hood pulled from above by horned and winged devil, from mouth issuing flames, prodded by instrument held in extended right hand of nimbed, flying angel.
Scenes in common landscape.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapters 14 and 15.