MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - MA063.jpg

Category Manuscript
Origin: artist/workshop Giovanni di Paolo (c1399-1482)
Date 15C/2
Reference No MS Yates Thompson 36, f 187r (detail)
Size c 9x18.6
Provenance Alfonso V of Aragon, king of Naples
Present Location London, British Library
Bibliography Pope-Hennessy 1993, 58

Brieger, Meiss, & Singleton 1969, 269; Roddewig 1984, 169-70
Illustration From Pope-Hennessy 1993, 182
Other illustrations Pope-Hennessy1947, ill 78

Brieger, Meiss, & Singleton 1969, pl 516a; Dante 1965, 511
Country Italy
Description:
The second of Giovanni di Paolo's illuminations from the Dante manuscript dated mid 1440's illustrates Canto XXXII, the first of two, in which the rose reappears, this time in a smaller scale as if seen from a greater distance and also with more foliage. In place of the Trinity is the Virgin of Humility with a naked Eve prostrate beneath her feet. Although in the text Dante lists a number of Old Testament figures, they are not shown here. To the left of the Virgin is Peter with the keys, on the right John the Baptist in a pose reminiscent of the Ecce Agnus Dei, pointing towards the Child. Clockwise after the Baptist are Francis, an unidentified male saint, Augustine, Bernard and an unidentified female saint. Beneath the Virgin are Anne and Lucy.These figures all nestle within the white rose's petals. Outside the rose Dante is kneeling with Beatrice above, her right hand on Dante and her left on the halo of the unidentified female saint, both of them in the identical posture to that of the previous scene. Bernard has a 'tuft'. (See also MA62, 64, & 65).