Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 132, fol. 121v, ca. 1380 | MARGOT

Detailed manuscript information (based on Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue MSS. 1906, no. 112):

Vellum, measure 8x5.5", 1 + 189 fols, two columns 34 lines. This manuscript contains the Roman de la rose (fols 1-156r), the Testament (fols 158r-189v) by Jean de Meun.

Scene depicted

Nature's confession to Genius

Miniature description

Size:

203x140mm
Column picture
Height: 10 lines

Materials:

Vellum
Gold leaf, grey, blue, brown

Initials:

Decorated initial "G" in gold leaf. Inside the "G" there is a white decorative motif over a blue background. The initial, which appears on a red background, is framed by a black line and a white line. There are two extenders, on the top and bottom corners of the left side of the letter.

Frame:

Simple gold leaf exterior frame with a thin blue interior border. On the left, top, and right sides, the frame has gold leaf foliate extenders, with four "sperms" attached to the frame.

Background:

Empty background with traces of ruling

Placement of miniature:

Directly before Nature's Confession

Place of Production of the Miniature:

France

Date of Production of the Miniature:

1380

Similarities to other images from the corpus:

Gestures:

Genius and Lady Nature are in the same submissive and blessing positions in BNFC, fol 200v

Fitzwilliam Museum, Ms. 169, fol. 105v

Composition:

Both are grisaille in BNFC, fol 200v

Secondary sources:

Detailed manuscript information based on the Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue Mss. 1906, no. 112.

Detailed description

Allegories:

Lady Nature is on the left.

Genius (priest) is on the right.

Clothing:

*All clothing is grisaille.

1. Lady Nature:

Cotehardie
Elaborate hairdo with crespines on each side of the head

2. Genius:

Long white alb
Hood

Gestures:

Lady Nature is kneeling in a submissive manner. Her right hand is placed on the right thigh of the priest, who is sitting down. Lady Nature's left arm is folded across her left knee. Her right knee is on the floor.

The priest is sitting; his legs are not crossed. His right hand is placed on top of Lady Nature's head, absolving her of her sins, while his left hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.

Both Lady Nature and the priest are looking down. She is looking at his feet, while he is looking down at the top of her head.

Objects:

Genius is sitting on an elevated bench in the lower right-hand corner. The bench is tinted with brown pigments, and it is decorated on the front with a small lancet window with trefoil tracery. The lancet window on the bench suggests the architectural space of a cathedral. *Possible symbolism: Genius, represented as a priest-bishop sits on a cathedra, a symbol of his station, which confers him the power and authority to forgive Nature's sins.

Ex-libris

Inscription on fol. 158: Johannes Marous (ca. 1525)
Inscription on first folio: Pierre Vischer de Bâle (1773)
Ex-libris: Bought 20 June 1995 by William Morris
Inscription on fly-leaf, and ex-libris: Richard Bennett collection, 1897.