Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Gospel Book
Italy, San Benedetto Po, between 1075 and 1099
MS M.492 fol. 42v

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Zone 1:
1) Evangelist Mark, scalloped nimbus, wearing bishop's vestments, seated on chair with arched back and footstool, pen in each hand, writes in open book inscribed VOX CLAMA(N)TIS IN DESERTO PARATE UIA(M) D(OMI)NI from Mark 1:3.
Inkpot and seated wingless symbol on the chair.
2) John Baptist: preaching -- John Baptist, scalloped nimbus, wearing garment of fur, stands beside group of men, one holding staff, and extends with his left hand scroll, inscribed VENIT FORTIOR ME P(OST) ME CUI(US) N(ON) SU(M) DIGNUS P(RO)CU(M)BENS SOLUERE CORRIGIA(M) CALCIAM(EN)TORUM EIUS from Mark 1:7.
Zone 2:
Christ: Baptism -- John Baptist, scalloped nimbus, left side bare, raises left hand toward Christ, cross-nimbed, nude, standing in river where four fishes are swimming, His head flanked by dove of Holy Ghost, and by Hand of God, emerging from arc of heaven and holding scroll inscribed TU ES FILIUS ME(US) DILECTISSIMUS IN TE (CON)PLACUI from Mark 1:11. To right, two men with scalloped nimbi, possibly wingless angels, stand. One bearded, holds Christ's garment, the other, beardless, holds roll in left hand.
Zone 3:
Christ: Temptation, 1st -- Beside group of three trees, in which are five birds and three animals, Christ, cross-nimbed, with roll in right hand, holds in His left hand open book, inscribed N(ON) I(N) SOLO PANE UIU(ET) HO(MO) S(ED) I(N) O(MNI) U(ER)BO Q(UO)D P(RO)CE(DIT) (DE) (ORE) D(E)I from Matthew 4:4. He is approached by horned devil, who with his left hand points to pile of stones between them, and who with his right hand extends scroll inscribed SI FILI(US) (DE)I ES DIC U(T) LAPIDES ISTI PANES FIA(N)T from Matthew 4:3.