MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - MA238.jpg


Category	Manuscript
Origin: artist/workshop	Italian
Date	15C/3
Reference No	MS Vat. lat. 658, f 51r (detail)
Size	9.6x7.4
Provenance	Rome
Present Location	Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica
Bibliography	SBOp 3:467; Leclercq 1953, 45
	Vattasso & Cavalieri 1902, 1:514-5; Vatican 1950, 10; Vatican 1980, 41
Illustration From	photo - Library
Other illustrations

Country	Italy

Description:
One of seven historiated initials featuring Bernard in this manuscript of 'De consideratione' commissioned by Pope Nicolas V in 1452 (see also MA234-7 & MA 239-40). The large blue initial L(ibri superioris, etsi De consideratione inscribantur) - 'The former books, although they are entitled On Consideration...' - with green and rosa decoration against a gold background opens Book Five. The half-figure of a nimbed Bernard, with the hood of his white cowl over his head, holds a red book - his work - in both hands.

Description:

One of seven historiated initials featuring Bernard in this manuscript of 'De consideratione' commissioned by Pope Nicolas V in 1452 (see also MA234-7 & MA 239-40). The large blue initial L(ibri superioris, etsi De consideratione inscribantur) - 'The former books, although they are entitled On Consideration...' - with green and rosa decoration against a gold background opens Book Five. The half-figure of a nimbed Bernard, with the hood of his white cowl over his head, holds a red book - his work - in both hands.