Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Divina Commedia
Italy, Florence, 1345-1355
MS M.676 fol. 83v

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Divina Commedia, Purgatorio: Scene, Pageant of Church -- Statius of Naples, wearing loin cloth, stands beside stream with Virgil and Dante, wearing hat, and extending his right hand towards Matilda. Before her are seven lighted candles in candlesticks and twenty-four elders, each wearing fleur-de-lys crown and carrying lighted candle. Behind them are four Beasts of the Apocalypse, all winged and wearing wreaths, and the angel as half-figure. In background are flowering trees.
In lower margin, Statius, Virgil, and Dante stand beside stream. Across the stream is chariot drawn by griffin; personifications of virtues, with Faith, Hope, and Charity standing in one group, and Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance in another, all crowned by wreaths of flowers. They are followed by Evangelist Luke and Apostle Paul, holding raised sword. To far right are four elders as clerics, including pope, wearing tiara; bishop and abbot (?), wearing miters; and cardinal, wearing hat. In background are flowering trees. A fifth elder follows on the facing page (84r).