Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 132, fol. 138v, 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

Genius's Sermon and Definitive Sentence

Miniature description

Size:

203x140mm
Column miniature
Height: 12 lines

Materials:

Vellum
Gold leaf, brown, and grey

Initials:

Red "D" outlined

Rubric:

Directly above miniature:

"Genyus le prestre nature / Espout aus barons l’escripture / Haulte sage bonne alosee / Qui par devant est proposee"

Frame:

Simple gold leaf exterior frame, with simple white inner frame outlined in black. The border has gold leaf foliate extenders on the left and right.

Background:

Bare background

Placement of miniature:

Directly before Genius gives his definitive sentence

Place of Production of the Miniature:

France

Date of Production of the Miniature:

1380

Similarities to other images from the corpus:

BNCFCLAD, 153, 232v
BWAM, W. 143, fol 128r
BSG, Ms. 1126, fol 140r
BG, FR178, fol. 143v
PML, MS. 324, fol. 129r
BFMUM, H245, fol. 119r
LBL, MS YT21, fol. 127r

Gestures:

BNF, MS fr. 12595, fol. 140r

Composition:

LBL, MS YT21, fol. 127r

Secondary sources:

Manuscript description based on the Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue Mss. 1906, no. 112.

Detailed description

Allegories:

Genius is on the left.

Barons and ladies from the God of Love's court are on the right.

Clothing:

*All clothing is grisaille.

1. Genius (dressed as a bishop)

Habit, clasped at the front with a morse
Alb underneath
Decorated mitre

2. Lady on the left hand side

Cotehardie
Elaborate hairdo with crespines

3. Man on the bottom right hand side

Cotehardie
Hood

4. Lady in the centre

Cotehardie
Elaborate hairdo with crespines flanking the face

Gestures:

Genius is standing, with both hands resting on a pulpit in front of him. The barons and ladies are sitting, paying attention to what Genius is saying.

Objects:

Bishop is standing behind a brown wooden podium. The front of the podium is covered by a large white piece of fabric.

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.