Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Farnese Hours
Italy, Rome, 1546
M.69, fol. 107r

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Miniature:
Tower of Babel: Building -- Tower of Babel is under construction, with treadwheel and hoist or pulley on top, scaffolding on upper levels, and figures on ramp wrapping around the tower. At base of the tower are horse drawn wagons, men unloading ship, hoist overhanging another ship. At left is stone quarry with figures at work, two raising hammers; at base of the quarry is small building next to hoist. In foreground, workshop in which are men with blocks of stone; outside of the building is cart on which are stone blocks and stone blocks piled on ground. At right, man walks across bridge next to two oxen yoked to wagon. In forground, two men, one crowned (?), holding crutch, are in conversation. Three other men sit, one indicating the Tower. Two other men stand next to bridled horse.
Scene in coastal landscape with ships in water, and on far shore, city, hills.
On lower edge of miniature, plaque inscribed ET OS MEVM ANVNTIABIT LAVDEM TVAM.
Upper margin:
Two winged putti embracing, flanked by two vases with two putti at each vase, and by four putti, possibly wrestling. Two nude men, seated on and grasping drapery, one next to vase decorated with figures.
Left margin:
Two putti flanking footed vase decorated with figures; partially draped woman in niche; below niche, head (mask) with mouth wide open, wearing knotted headgear, supported by two seated putti with arms linked.
Right margin:
Two putti flanking footed vase decorated with figure; man looking toward the construction scene; below niche, head (mask) with mouth wide open, wearing knotted headgear; supported by two seated putti with arms linked.
Lower margin:
In center, winged putto, astride goat, confronting a second putto astride the goat, hands bound behind back. All surrounded by four other putti, two back-turned, one, winged, holding tail of the goat. At left and right, seated nude women, one partly back-turned.