Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 324, fol. 63v, mid-XIVth century | MARGOT

Detailed manuscript information (based on Helen M. Gardens and Gardening in The Bulletin of the New York Public Library, 1927, 31:3):

Vellum, measure: 8.5x11.5", 172 fols, two columns, 40 lines. The text of Guillaume de Lorris ends on fol. 29r, Jean de Meun's continuation ends on fol. 144r. This is followed by his Testament, fols 145r-171v and the Codicile, fols 171v-172r.

Scene depicted

Jealous husband beats his wife.

Miniature description

Size:

Column picture.

Height: 11 lines.

Material and colors:

Vellum

Pink, gray, red, blue, black, brown, gold leaf

Initial:

Decorated foliate initial “L” on gilded background. Foliate is red and blue with white ink detail. Stem in red with white ink detail. Initial is blue with white ink detail. Foliate extenders from ‘L’ from top and bottom of “L”. Foliate is red, blue and gold.

Rubric:

Placed above image. Reads: “Co[m]men le jalous bat sa fame”

Below image in red: “amis parle”

Frame:

Gilded outer frame with red inner borders. White meander pattern on inner borders.

Gilded foliate extenders from top left side of frame and from right side of frame.

Background:

Diaper background. Diagonal grid. Alternating blue lozenges with white detail and blue lozenges with red detail. The interior is decorated with a cross pattern.

Place of production of miniature:

France

Date of production of miniature:

Mid-14th century

Detailed description

Allegories:

Jealous husband on the left

Wife on the right

Clothing:

1. Jealous husband:

Red chaperon
Grey gown
Black shoes

2. Wife

Pink gown belted at the waist

Gestures:

Husband's right hand, holding a mace, is raised over his head and ready to strike his wife. His left hand is grasping her hair. The wife is crouched on the ground. She gazes away from her husband. Her arms and hands are outstretched pointing away from her husband demonstrating her longing to flee from his grasp.

Objects:

Mace

Differs from other manuscripts where a club is depicted.

Ex-libris

Inscription on both sides of covers: François Rousseau le Jeune (XVIth century)
Inscription on inside of cover: Duchemin de Villiers (XVIIIth century).