Literary
Ms. written and illuminated in Paris, France, ca. 1465. Place of execution formerly localized in the Loire River Valley or Bourges.
The glossed French translation faces the Latin text and Latin commentary compiled by William of Conches. The text and commentaries are written in varying layouts: 1 or two columns of text in Latin or French, flanked or partially surrounded by glosses in Latin or French. The text is preceded by three folios containing the dedication of the translator, Jean de Meun, to Philip IV of France.
The translation of Boethius is in the Pseudo-Jean de Meun version--Cf. Dwyer.
Artist: Coëtivy Master.
The Coëtivy Master has been tentatively identified with Henri de Vulcop and most recently with Colin d'Amiens.
Decoration: 6 large miniatures, including an 18th century replacement (fol. 21).
As described by De Ricci, the ams are: argent two bars gules, over all two vipers affronted paleways vert (the arms of the Italian Bissari family). If the vipers were azure, they would be those of the du or de Refuge family as has been suggested by Nicole Reynaud (1993). Pierre de Refuge was governor of finances to the duke of Orléans from 1464-1469.
Revised: 2015