Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Ms. 1126, fol. 30r, 1350-1360

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Folio 30r

Detailed manuscript information (based on Ernest Langlois, Les manuscrits du Roman de la rose. Description et classement, Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, 1974, p. 85).

Parchment, measure: 302x217mm, 155 fols, two columns at 38 lines. Beginning of second folio: Lors de ville ou talant d'aler. The manuscript contains the Roman de la rose. At the end, the following lines have been added:

  • Explicit le Romans de la Rose,
    Ou l'Art d'Amours est toute enclose.
    Nature rit, si com moy semble,
    Quant hic et hec joingnent ensemble.

Scene depicted
Lady Reason attempts to define love.

Miniature description

Size:

Column picture.

Height: 10 lines.

Material and colors:

Parchment

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

Initial:

Decorated foliate initial “A” with gilded background. Foliate in white and red ink. Letter decorated in white and red ink.

Rubric:

Two Rubrics. The first appears 20 lines above miniature and reads : "Ci parle lament de raison". The second takes up the 2 lines above the miniature and reads : "Ci descript Raison a lament la diffinitive de la / descript[i]on damour”.

Frame:

Miniature: Gilded outer frame with red (left and right) and blue (top and bottom) inner borders. White ink detail on inner red and blue borders.

Text: a gilded border with foliate with golden leaves surrounds both columns of text.

Background:

Diaper pattern background. Diagonal grid. Alternating gilt lozenges with blue lozenges with white details.

Placement of Miniature:

Placement of miniature differs from other manuscripts in corpus, but is close to placement in BRB, Ms. 4782. After line 157, folio 37va (see roman site). Lover asks reason to clarify herself and define love for him.

Place of production of miniature:

Paris, France (?)

Date of production of miniature:

1350-1360.

Similarities with other images of the corpus:

Lady Reason matches gesture depicted in all three miniatures from BNF, Ms. Fr. 12595 as well as gestures in PML, Ms.M. 324, ÖNB, Codex 2592 BMC, Ms. 207, KBR, Ms. 4782

The Lover matches gesture depicted in BNF, Ms. Fr. 380.

Detailed description

Allegories:

Lady Reason on the left

Lover on the right

Clothing:

1. Lady Reason

  • Black pillbox hat

  • Grey gown

  • Pink, red lined shawl

2. Lover

  • Grey sleeveless surcote

  • Red kirtle

  • Red hose

  • Black pantouffles

  • Pink hood

  • Black gridle

  • Thin decorated headband

Gestures:

Lady Reason's index finger is elevated in a gesture of speech signifying her role as a teacher.

The Lover's right hand is placed over his heart signifying respect and devotion.


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© Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, Paris | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence © 2012