File:La cité de dieu (The City of God) (IA 1945 65 1).pdf

Department of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, 1945‑65‑1. Paris, France, Illuminated by the Orosius Master and his workshop, Paris, circa 1408-1410; circa 1408-1410. This manuscript is a deluxe illuminated copy of the first five books of Raoul de Presles's French translation of and commentary on Augustine's City of God, a theological and historical treatise countering the claim that the Roman Empire fell because of its conversion to Christianity. The French translation, commissioned by Charles V, was completed in 1375, and this copy of the first five books of the text was illuminated by the Orosius Master and his workshop in Paris, circa 1408-1410, possibly for Jean, duc de Berry. The first column miniature in the manuscript, marking the dedication to Charles V, depicts Raoul de Presles presenting his translation to the king (fol. 1r). A three-quarter-page miniature of the City of God and the City of the Pagans marks the beginning of the first book (fol. 5r) and double-column miniatures mark the beginning of each of the following books, as is true for many illuminated copies of this text. In addition, however, the first and second books of this manuscript are extensively illuminated with column miniatures at the beginning of each chapter, often drawing on the commentary for historical and literary source material. The text is written in two columns of textualis semi-quadrata script. At least one leaf is missing at the end of the volume, where the text breaks off near the end of the fifth book.