Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Picture Bible
France, Paris, ca. 1244-1254
MS M.638 fol. 43v

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Zone 1:
1) David: Pursuit of Sheba -- David, crowned, sits with legs crossed on bench in portal, holds scepter in left hand, and extends right hand toward Abishai, wearing cap, in mail, kneeling. Four soldiers in mail, armed with lances and shields, are mounted beside caparisoned horse of Abishai. Illustration of II Samuel 20:6-7.
2) Joab: killing Amasa -- Joab and Amasa, in mail, wearing caps, embrace. Joab drives sword into abdomen of Amasa. Soldiers in mail, mounted, some with hands raised, appear behind saddled horse. Tree in background. Illustration of II Samuel 20:9-10.
Zone 2:
David: Siege of Abelbethmaachah -- One of two men, wearing caps, holds end of trebuchet sling with stone, beside group of soldiers in mail, armed with lances, shields, and sword, mounted, one on caparisoned horse. All follow Joab, in mail, armed with shield, mounted on dappled horse, raising right hand toward veiled woman pointing to head of Sheba lowered by man, wearing cap, over city gate. One of three soldiers spreads his surcoat; two strike with pickaxes. Beneath portcullis at gate, woman peers behind man cutting off head of Sheba with sword; another man (only head and hands visible)points to the Sheba. Illustration of II Samuel 20:15-22.
Scenes with architectural frames.