Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 324, fol. 129r, 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

Genius's Sermon and Definitive Sentence

Miniature description

Size:

216x279mm
Column miniature
Height: 10 lines

Materials:

Vellum
Gold leaf, blue, red, white, brown, black

Initials:

Large foliate initial "D". Foliates are gold leaf, blue and red. Gold leaf foliate extenders spring from the top and bottom of the initial partially framing the miniature.

Rubric:

Directly above miniature: "Ci commence genius son sarmon"

Frame:

Simple gold leaf exterior frame with gold leaf corner pieces; interior frame with meander patterns on the top and bottom, a wavy pattern on the left, and a simple undecorated border on the right. Gold leaf foliate extenders and gold leaf "sperms" spring from the frame on the right and left.

Background:

Blue, red, and white diaper pattern (checkerboard with Xs inscribed in the centre)

Placement of miniature:

Directly before Genius gives his definitive sentence

Place of Production of the Miniature:

France

Date of Production of the Miniature:

1350

Similarities to other images from the corpus:

Gestures and composition:

BNCFCLAD, 153, 232v
BWAM, W. 143, fol 128r
BSG, Ms. 1126, fol 140r
BG, FR178, fol. 143v
BFMUM, H245, fol. 119r
LBL, MS YT21, fol. 127r
PML, MS. 132, fol. 138v
BNF, MS fr. 12595, fol. 140r

Secondary sources:

Helen, M. Gardens and Gardening in The Bulletin of the New York Public Library, 1927, 31:3

Detailed description

Allegories:

Genius is on the left.

God of Love, Lady Venus, and the Barons of the court of the God of Love are on the right.

Clothing and other features:

1. Genius (dressed as a bishop)

White chasuble
Black hood
Blonde hair

2. God of Love #1 (left)

Pink robe
Blue cape with decorative white and gold lining
Gold crown
Blonde hair
Red wings

3. Lady (probably Lady Venus) #2 (right)

Pink robe
Blonde hair
Simple hairdo

4. Baron #3 - (top right)

Blue robe
Blonde hair

5. Baron #4 - (behind)

Face only

Gestures:

Genius is standing on a pulpit, his right hand raised and pointing up, indicating a gesture of speech.

The God of Love, Lady Venus, and the members of the court are sitting down. Their right hands are placed close to their chins in a gesture of acceptance.

Objects:

Genius is standing on a wooden pulpit. Hanging on the front of the podium is a pink piece of fabric with brown horizontal stripes.

Ex-libris

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