Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 132, fol. 95r, 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

The Duenna speaks with Fair Welcoming in the tower.

Miniature description

Size:

203x140mm
Column miniature
Height: 11 lines

Material and colors:

Vellum
Gold leaf, blue, brown, black, grey, green

Frame:

Simple gold leaf exterior frame with simple red, white and blue inner frame. There are gold leaf foliate extenders on the right side of the frame and "sperm" extenders on the left and right sides of the frame. There is one unattached "sperm" visible on the right side.

Rubric:

Four lines, above the miniature: “L’orde vieille q[ue] dieu confonde / Enseigne tout le hourt du mo[n]de / A belacueil qui bien l’escoute / Car il y met s’entente toute”

Initial:

Gold leaf initial "O" with blue and white decorative details inside the letter. Gold leaf extenders go upwards and downwards from the initial.

Background:

Background shows rudimentary perspective with a castle and green grass.

Place of production of miniature:

France

Date of production of miniature:

1380

Similarities with other images of the corpus:

The image of a tower can also be seen in the following manuscripts: PML, Ms.132, fol. 91v ; BMC, Ms.0270, fol. 90v ; BNCF, Codice Laurenziano Acquisti e Doni 153, fol. 150v ; ÖNB, Codex 2592, fol. 87v.
Other examples with buildings: BNCF. Codice Laurenziano Acquisti e Doni 153, fol. 150v ; PML. Ms. 132, fol. 102v.

Secondary Sources:

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

Detailed description

Allegories:

Duenna is on the left

Fair Welcoming is on the right

Clothing and other features:

*Semi-grisaille

1. Duenna

Grey robe
Wimple falling to the shoulders

2. Fair Welcoming

Blonde hair
White robe (probably a cotehardie)

Architecture:

The scene takes place in the interior of a castle with a central brown door with two metal hinges. At each side of the door there are two strip buttresses. The building is flanked by two round towers with windows and crenellations extending over the top of the building. Over the door, the space opens up to show the Duenna and Fair Welcoming.

Gestures:

The Duenna has her left hand raised and her right finger raised in a gesture of speech. Fair Welcoming has his arms crossed, signaling that he is listening.

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.