Medieval History
Two bright and acute thinkers put forth that the woman in the last post is not a saint - but one of the Bible's most infamous sinners: Bathsheba. But our Bathsheba would be a most demure temptress, fully clothed as she is. She must have had some damn fine calves to tempt a king to petty murder :).
So I looked into other images of Bathsheba, to see what we could see:
David Spying on Bathsheba, detail of illumination from fol. 41v of the Morgan Crusader Bible (aka, Shah Abbas Bible. Maciejowski Old Testament), c. 1250. Pierpont Morgan Library, New York.
When I think of images of Bathsheba from the Middle Ages, this is what I think of: architectural setting, she is nude, sitting in a barrel of water.
Historiated initial 'Q,' MS. Auct. D. 4. 8, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, c. 1240-1250.
Look at that gorgeous gold foil. Another nude barrel Bathsheba.
School of Bedford Master, Book of Hours, MS. 10004, fol. 78, David in prayer, border David and Bathsheba. c. 1420, Pierpont Morgan Library.
'Power of Women' detail, David and Bathsheba. Germany tapestry, 15th century.
I know this doesn't add much to our discussion. But its a tapestry; couldn't ignore it.
Book of Hours, use of Rheims, Folio. 052e, eastern French, end of 15th century. MS. Rawl, liturg. e. 33, Bodleian Library, Oxford.
Book of Hours, fol. 63r, 1545-1600, parchment, French. And here's the kicker:
Psalm 006:01 (Vulg., 006:02); DOMINE NE IN FURORE TUO ARGUAS ME
Composition, geography are similar, and the text is exactly as Kristen wrote in the comment on the last post - Psalm 6. A modest Bathsheba, she is!
- Rare Medieval Bible Bought By American University
A medieval Bible written in Oxford, England, around 1240, has been purchased by the University of South Carolina for $77 000. The small-sized bible will be added to other medieval holdings at the university?s Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library....
- Mermaids
Roman book of hours, whole page, folio 186r. End of fifteenth century, made in Venice or Padua. Historiated initial (D)omine with the Holy Spirit above. Floral border with mermaid and dolphin. Pendant of a mermaid, German. 1580-1590, enameled gold,...
- 'monokeros,' Or Unicorns In Imagery And Myth, Ii
Relief showing a Stag and Unicorn, ca. 950, Italian, near Nola. This relief from a church in Nola (near Naples) formed part of a transenna, a low wall that demarcated the church's presbytery, an area reserved for the clergy. The motif of opposed...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Introduction
As a medievalist, I have gone through my studies with many unanswered questions regarding illuminated manuscripts. Text books can only take the intrepid scholar so far. What do the bindings look like? What does vellum actually feel to the touch, how does...
- Some Illumination
Roman de la Rose, Princeton Garrett 126, miniature, column, fol. 146r, detail, mid 14th century, parchment, Île-de-France, Paris Scene, Venus attacking Castle -- Venus, wearing garment, with bow shoots torch at castle with closed gate decorated with...
Medieval History
Not a Saint - but a Sinner!
So I looked into other images of Bathsheba, to see what we could see:
When I think of images of Bathsheba from the Middle Ages, this is what I think of: architectural setting, she is nude, sitting in a barrel of water.
Look at that gorgeous gold foil. Another nude barrel Bathsheba.
I know this doesn't add much to our discussion. But its a tapestry; couldn't ignore it.
Psalm 006:01 (Vulg., 006:02); DOMINE NE IN FURORE TUO ARGUAS ME
- Rare Medieval Bible Bought By American University
A medieval Bible written in Oxford, England, around 1240, has been purchased by the University of South Carolina for $77 000. The small-sized bible will be added to other medieval holdings at the university?s Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library....
- Mermaids
Roman book of hours, whole page, folio 186r. End of fifteenth century, made in Venice or Padua. Historiated initial (D)omine with the Holy Spirit above. Floral border with mermaid and dolphin. Pendant of a mermaid, German. 1580-1590, enameled gold,...
- 'monokeros,' Or Unicorns In Imagery And Myth, Ii
Relief showing a Stag and Unicorn, ca. 950, Italian, near Nola. This relief from a church in Nola (near Naples) formed part of a transenna, a low wall that demarcated the church's presbytery, an area reserved for the clergy. The motif of opposed...
- Ltpsc Book Of Hours: Introduction
As a medievalist, I have gone through my studies with many unanswered questions regarding illuminated manuscripts. Text books can only take the intrepid scholar so far. What do the bindings look like? What does vellum actually feel to the touch, how does...
- Some Illumination
Roman de la Rose, Princeton Garrett 126, miniature, column, fol. 146r, detail, mid 14th century, parchment, Île-de-France, Paris Scene, Venus attacking Castle -- Venus, wearing garment, with bow shoots torch at castle with closed gate decorated with...