 |
 |
|
|
| 
|
FRANCESCO PETRARCA, 1304-1374
De remediis utriusque fortune
On parchment
France, second half of the 15th century
MS 203, ff. 83v - 84r
This page begins the prologue of the second book of the
De remediis, Petrarch’s encyclopedic book
of moral philosophy. In this part, Sorrow and Fear engage
in a dialogue about the remedies for the ills brought
on by adverse fortune. Among the topics in the second
book are ugliness, illness, base birth, poverty, servants,
importunate neighbors, shipwreck, exile, old age, gout,
bad dreams, earthquakes, toothache, blindness, the seven
deadly sins, and the fear of death.
The De remediis enjoyed lively popularity in
France, where this manuscript was produced. It is elaborately
decorated, as can be seen with the elegant gold initial
on f. 84r, the lavish use of gold and colors, and the
red velvet binding. Unfortunately, many folios, which
probably contained the best illuminations, have been cut
out. Two of the missing illuminated leaves are now in
the Free Library of Philadelphia (Lewis European MSS T
188 and T 189).
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
