Pierpont Morgan Library Ms. 132, fol. 78r, ca. 1380

Folio 78r 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

False Seeming speaks with God of Love.

Miniature description

Size:

203x140mm

Column miniature

Height: Approx. 9 lines

Material and colors:

Vellum

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

Initial:

Pen-flourished initial “M” above miniature, in black inck with red decorative details.

Frame:

Simple gold leaf exterior frame with inner blue, red, and white inner frame. On the left, right, and botton of the frame there are gold leaf foliate extenders. A gold leaf “sperm” is found beside the right side of the frame.

Background:

Background is white with visible ruling marks.

Place of production of miniature:

France

Date of production of miniature:

ca. 1380

Similarities with other images of the corpus:

The position of the allegories is similar in the following manuscripts: BNF, Ms. Fr. 380, fol. 73r; JPG, Ms. Lud. XV 7, fol. 70r; Fitzwilliam Museum, Ms. 169, fol. 48v.

Secondary Sources:

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

Detailed description

Allegories:

God of Love is on the right.

False Seeming is on the left.

Clothing and other features:

*Semi-grisaille

1. False Seeming

Black monk’s habit with cowl
White alb
Brown satchel over his shoulder
Walking staff
Tonsured shaved head (with blonde tonsure)

*Both the satchel and the staff indicate that the monk was itinerant and probably from a mendicant order.

2. God of Love

Cotehardie with buttons
Gold leaf crown
Short blonde hair
Spear
White and blue wings, with interior rendered in green

Gestures:

False Seeming approaches the God of Love, his right hand raised. The God of Love faces False Seeming, with his right hand also raised. Both are making gestures of speech, indicating that they are involved in a conversation. Both hold a walking stick or sceptre in their left hands.

Landscape:

Green grass, but no other landscape details