Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Vitae patrum
Italy, Naples, between 1350 and 1375
MS M.626 fol. 50r

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Paphnutius of Heracleopolis: Scene, Death of Brethren and followed by Good Neighbor -- Paphnutius of Heracleopolis, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, kneeling with joined hands raised beside body of nimbed monk, eyes closed, wearing cap and monk’s habit, with arms crossed on waist, laying supine on ground. At upper left, nimbed and nude soul of the monk borne to Heaven by nimbed angel; all within cross-surmounted building, possibly hermit’s cell; amid trees.
At far right, Good Neighbor, nimbed, with sack slung over left shoulder, with right hand extended to right hand of Paphnutius of Egypt, nimbed, tonsured, wearing monk’s habit, with left hand grasping sack slung over left shoulder, both departing from river lined with plants.
Illustration of Rufinus of Aquileia, Historia Monachorum in Aegypto, Chapter 16.