True. Originally, I provided this in relation to the description of Basinio’s Temple of Fame as cited in Wikipedia and found in Book 13, Verse 205-217.Huck wrote:
For a primary source of Hesperis XIII [which you provided]:
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b5 ... age.langEN
As far I understood it, the Basinio work at Gallica ...
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b5 ... /f257.item
Basinius Parmensis, Hesperis ["Basinii Parmensis Hesperidos" libri XIII]
... is only book No. 13 of 13 books, which belong to the work. I've read, that the whole work had about 18.000 verses.
A lovely resource. Thank you.Huck wrote:
The Malatesta temple; sixty four illustrations, and text (1915)
by Luigi Orsini
https://archive.org/details/malatestatemples00orsiiala
A few photos of the Temple, which caught my immediate attention . . .
. . . The Tomb of Malatesta’s Ancestors by Agostino di Duccio (ca. 1453-1456) . . . . . . and details of two friezes located on the tomb: At left, “Pallas [Athene] Surrounded by Heroes” . . . . . . at right, the “Triumph of Sigismund.” In this last, Fama blows her trumpet. The chariot’s throne incorporates a hybrid creature—head of a lion, wings presumably of an eagle, feet of an elephant. The chariot is pulled by four horses—not elephants . . . Then, there’s the recurring motif of two “trumpeting” elephant heads facing in different directions, Janus-like, and bearing a dragon’s ruff or wing. Athene’s chariot was at times pictured being pulled by dragons in Renaissance works. Perhaps, this is the connection.
When used for Isotta’s Tomb, the elephants have scrolls in their mouths, which read from left “Tempus loquendi” (“A time to speak”) and from right “Tempus tacendi (“A time for silence”; Ecclesiastes 3:7). Further, St. Sigismund is pictured seated on two elephants facing in different directions, similar to the Matteo di Pasti medal with Lady Fortitude referenced earlier . . . A parallel might be found, perhaps, in the fresco by Piero della Francesca (ca. 1451), in which Malatesta is pictured kneeling before an Imperial looking St. Sigismund. Two greyhounds are pictured beside Malatesta—one white, one black, facing in opposite directions, by one theory, for Faith and Vigilance . . .
Again, thank you, Huck.Huck wrote:
Pictures of this work [Basinio’s “Hesperis”]:
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
I’ve read that the illustrations for all three, extent copies of Basinio’s “Hesperis”—viz. the Oxford, Paris, and Vatican manuscripts—are attributed to the miniaturist, Giovanni da Fano (aka Giovanni di Bartolo di Bettina). Further, the illustrations for all three copies allegedly follow the same, basic program. Notwithstanding, apparently none of the copies are complete. Moreover, a number of the illustrations purportedly demonstrate differences of possibly material substance.
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/gio ... ografico)/
http://www.engramma.it/eOS/index.php?id_articolo=206
I’ve focused mostly on what appears to be the mythic theme, below, with the exception of the first illustration. However, in terms of the Oxford website, it should be noted that the illustrations and descriptions pertaining, thereto, are generally out of order. Thus, I give the thumbnail “folio number” first, then what is likely the “real” folio number given in the description in parenthesis, if different. Further, I cannot, of course, attest to the accuracy of the descriptions provided by the Oxford website, not having read the Latin text, nor can I know how closely the illustrations followed the text.
The BnF references are given first. I could not provide separate links for each BnF illustration and, thus, have attached copies of the illustrations, herein.
Oxford Fol. 050r – (Military theme) Malatesta’s Army on the march. Malatesta, crowned with laurel leaves, follows trumpeters. The trumpeters’ banners depict two elephants “trumpeting”; so, obviously, the link between elephants and trumpets was known to the artist and/or Malatesta . . .
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
Mythic Theme:
BnF Fol. 61r – Malatesta sets sail for Africa. Cf. Oxford Fol. 070r:
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
BnF Fol. 61v – Shipwreck at Sea! Cf. Oxford Fol. 061r (Fol. 070v):
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark#
BnF Fol. 73v – Malatesta lands at the Island of Fortune. He arrives on a plank of wood at a sandy beach. Beyond, a landscape with trees, a fox, and birds. Cf. Oxford Fol. 060v (Fol. 082v):
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
BnF Fol. 74r – The Royal Palace of Zephyrus on the island of Fortune. Three women at foreground play chess. A winged female figure located at midground. A blue-clad Psyche (?) reclines beneath the trees at background. Numerous deer, birds, and a fox. Cf. Oxford Fol. 037v (Fol. 083r):
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
BnF Fol. 82r – Unknown narrative. Malatesta with female figure with bow (Luna?). A natural spring at foreground. Numerous birds, deer, trees. A ship on the distant horizon. Cf. Oxford Fol. – Missing.
BnF Fol. 82v – Malatesta at the Elysian Fields. At top, Malatesta, like Hercules, holds a club over a bovine animal that is tethered to its infant before flames rising from the Underworld. Below, a series of five concentric circles. A group of soldiers in full armour at center. Malatesta (?) with bow, arrow, and sling leaves a group of men and women. At left, two women and two girls seated in a grove; at right, three men in conversation. Cf. Oxford Fol. 027r ( Fol. 091r) – At top, a kid ram has replaced the infant bovine animal.***
http://bodley30.bodley.ox.ac.uk:8180/lu ... =Shelfmark
BnF Fol. 90v – Departure from the island by ship. Cf. Oxford Fol. – Missing.
In summary, not sure if much was gained, here.
Thank you and Regards,
Kate