MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - MA029.jpg

Category Manuscript
Origin: artist/workshop Master of Catherine of Cleves
Date 15C/2
Reference No MS M, f 286
Size
Provenance Utrecht
Present Location New York, The Pierpont Morgan Library
Bibliography Plummer 1966, 8-10

Illustration From Plummer 1966, 139
Other illustrations

Country Netherlands
Description:
From Book of Hours in two volumes dated c 1440 belonging to Catherine of Cleves, Duchess of Guelders. This contained the more normal texts like the Penitential Psalms, Litanies, Office of the Dead, Hours of the Cross, as well as suffrages among which is this to Bernard. The prayer is taken from the 4th Antiphon of the 1st Nocturn from Vigils on the feast of Bernard. Bernard is shown in a brown cowl with the white tunic showing beneath, carrying a red crozier with a gold top and a blue book with clasp. Around is a chaplet of plumes linked by interlace knots of gold bands. In the gap between two of the plumes on the right is a tiny bust of a praying monk apparently dressed like Bernard but without halo. A gold crown is being placed on the figure's head by a hand which reaches down from the plume above. It is said that this may be William of Aquitaine, erroneously believed to have become a hermit to expiate his sins. He was saved from excommunication by Bernard. According to this theory the hand may represent the church restoring William's crown.