<i>Medicina Antiqua. Codex Vindobonensis 93, Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek</i> (review)
Alexandra Barratt
Short Notices 255 Medicina Antiqua. Codex Vindobonensis 93, Vienna, Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek . Introduction by Peter Murray Jones (Manuscripts in Miniature 4), London, Harvey Miller, 1999; cloth; pp. 63; 322 colour plates; R P US$75, £48; ISBN 1872501206. This full facsimile of a thirteenth-century Italian medical manuscr visually stunning. It is reduced (and therefore affordable) reproduction the 1996 edition published Akademische Druck und Verlagsanstalt series 'Glanzlichter der Buchkunst'. Lions and hyenas romp through its pages, plants blossom bloom, human beings eat, drink, haemorrhage defecate. however, real mystery: w e know nothing about commissioning, production, ownership, or stylistic models (which appear to be late-antique, possibly mediated Carolingian art). Some scholars have speculated that manuscript connected with Emperor Frederick II, Stupor mundi, which would appropriate, as this truly stupefying book. But unfortunately there no evidence for such an imaginative linkage. Jones, Fellow Librarian King's College, Cambridge, author Medieval Medicine Illuminated Manuscripts (London, British Library, 1998), contributes Introduction. In it he situates within tradition writing on materia medica particularly draws attention prominent role magic, poisons antidotes. H also briefly describes sixth-century collection texts make up so-called Herbarius complex. (Surprisingly, these are not always directly related illustrations, one main subsidiary series.) concludes 'this tells us more curious mixture fantasy pragmatism determined early medieval approaches world medica, visualization, than any other manuscript' (p. 28). The followed Franz Unterkircher's codicological analysis, script, 'a carefully executed gothic minuscule' 29), decorative scheme, his commentary, meticulously identifies often unrecognisable animals equally baffling therapeutic activities depicted plates. (This section adapted translated from commentary volume A D E V 1972.) misses thorough physical description manuscript: volume's neat 125 m x 195 format presumably bears little relation actual dimensions ofthe codex. educational climate increasinglyfixatedon visual image, 256 book will provide you, your students, hours entertainment edification. multiple foliation guaranteed drive you mad. There two systems, written blue pencil, neither commentary. Alexandra Barratt Department ofEnglish University Waikato Sandler, Lucy Freeman, Psalter Robert de Lisle reprinted paper; 118; 25 plates, 55 b/w ilustrations; £22, US$35; 187250132X. Published originally 1983, long overdue republication paper form Freeman Sandler's monograph De Psalter. Sandler has wisely chosen alter original text but included new preface postscript presents brief overview recent scholarly interpretations. Not surprisingly, she disagrees much this, acknowledges how thefieldhas changed over 35 years since shefirstbegan working manuscript. very useful further addition Addendum provides additional manuscripts handlist Speculum theologie appendix text. several levels, history production subject matter illustrations. Lisle, example, was widower who 1339, upon joining Franciscan Order, gave daughters, Audure Alborou, apparently Ghilbertine nuns at Chicksands Bedfordshire. itself fragment. contains calendar 24 including scenes life Christ, Madonna Child Crucifixion, together thirteen devotional theological diagrams, Bonaventura's Tree Life and...
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