This woodcut print depicts Saint Francis of Paola as he traveled through Provence, curing people of the plague on his way to visit King Louis XI around 1483. It must have been printed in large numbers; the colors were applied with stencils in order to speed up production. This print was found with several others inside the front cover of a French law manuscript, which explains the damage around its edges. The prints were probably unsold stock, recycled as scrap paper for the book’s cover—a true paperback.
Saint Francis of Paola Arriving and Preaching in Toulouse, Toulouse, 1480–90. Gift of Mr. H.P. Kraus in honor of Curt Bühler's 80th birthday, 1985. PML 78407.1.