MS M.399, fol. 304v

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Da Costa hours
Illuminated by Simon Bening (1483/84–1561)

Ghent, Belgium
ca. 1515
172 x 125 mm

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), 1910

MS M.399, fol. 304v
Description: 

Benedict of Montecassino: In cave at Subiaco, and devil breaking bell―Benedict of Montecassino, nimbed, tonsured, and partially nude, kneels on one knee amid thorns in front of a crucifix. His habit is on the ground beside him. In the background, Romanus of Subiacois is at the top of a hill holding a container. Below, near the bottom of the hill, a devil pulls a rope attached to a bell.

The scene is framed by a decorated border inscribed in display script ORA PRO NOBIS SANTE (sic) BENEDICTE.

Credits: 

Image courtesy of Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz/Austria.