Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 260v

See more information »

Benedict of Montecassino: Scene, chastised Monk -- In initial I, Benedict, nimbed, wearing habit, raising withes (?) with right hand, left hand raised above head of devil. Monk, tonsured, nude to waist, with joined hands, wounds bleeding on back, kneels before Benedict looking up toward him.
In upper margin, medallion enclosing half-figure of Benedict, nimbed and tonsured, holding withes (?) with right hand, supporting book with left arm, all amid gold balls and flowers. In lower margin, Scholastica, nimbed and veiled, flanked by two monks, all enclosed in medallion flanked by two putti, one holding butterfly, the other extending hands toward another butterfly. All amid flowers and gold balls. Medallions linked by red band decorated with vining ornament.
Text is collect for first Vespers on 03.21, feast of Benedict of Montecassino.
Pen-flourished initials.