06-02-2016, 12:25 AM
MarcoP,
Most excellent!
Rene,
Thanks for the color shots, and the full page layouts. They help put things in their proper place.
The idea of the paring paradigm as seen in the VMs certainly has some interesting comparisons, both similarities and differences, when considering the medallion seen in these two calendars.
From London to Bologna, in the early part of the 1300's, this sort of illustrative pairing can be found as part of an established tradition, as I read it. And the VMs parchment dates are a century later. So the VMs author is clearly not breaking new ground in that respect. What is different is that instead of having two rams in Aries and two bulls in Taurus, the VMs author has split these months into halves on separate pages. Instead of pairs *in* medallions, these are pairs *of* medallions. It produces a totally different effect, but has the same results.
Even if the medallions were considered comparable, there are other differences in the medallion sequence, in page layout and what is happening outside the medallion. Both calendars are described as occupational calendars, as each month is accompanied by other illustrations showing the tasks appropriate to the season. The VMs is not much of an occupational calendar, unless nymph is considered an occupation. I guess pope and cardinal are occupations.
In the examples of the calendar medallions, the figures are confined to the medallions, in the VMs there are figures displayed outside in concentric circles around the medallion. Where the VMs has concentric rings of nymphs surrounding the medallion, the calendars have nothing - in the way of comparable illustration. No nymphs in tubs, no tubs with patterns that can be compared to medieval heraldry. Nothing to take the pairing paradigm beyond the internal confines of the medallions and on to anything further. In contrast, he VMs moves subtly on to the topic of pairing in heraldry.
There is a heraldic shield in one of the calendar Gemini medallions. Still need to work on that one. But the MS 700 number one illustration clearly shows a heraldic armorial insignia and identifies the bearer as the du Bois family of Lincoln. So here are further examples of heraldry in the illustrations of zodiacs and calendars. Only the VMs author has decided to be a bit more deceptive, something less than obvious. The clues are sometimes hidden and separated, but the pairing paradigm exists there in VMs Zodiac's astrological and heraldic patterns. It is validated by historical grounding. This is an intentional, deliberate construction.
Most excellent!
Rene,
Thanks for the color shots, and the full page layouts. They help put things in their proper place.
The idea of the paring paradigm as seen in the VMs certainly has some interesting comparisons, both similarities and differences, when considering the medallion seen in these two calendars.
From London to Bologna, in the early part of the 1300's, this sort of illustrative pairing can be found as part of an established tradition, as I read it. And the VMs parchment dates are a century later. So the VMs author is clearly not breaking new ground in that respect. What is different is that instead of having two rams in Aries and two bulls in Taurus, the VMs author has split these months into halves on separate pages. Instead of pairs *in* medallions, these are pairs *of* medallions. It produces a totally different effect, but has the same results.
Even if the medallions were considered comparable, there are other differences in the medallion sequence, in page layout and what is happening outside the medallion. Both calendars are described as occupational calendars, as each month is accompanied by other illustrations showing the tasks appropriate to the season. The VMs is not much of an occupational calendar, unless nymph is considered an occupation. I guess pope and cardinal are occupations.
In the examples of the calendar medallions, the figures are confined to the medallions, in the VMs there are figures displayed outside in concentric circles around the medallion. Where the VMs has concentric rings of nymphs surrounding the medallion, the calendars have nothing - in the way of comparable illustration. No nymphs in tubs, no tubs with patterns that can be compared to medieval heraldry. Nothing to take the pairing paradigm beyond the internal confines of the medallions and on to anything further. In contrast, he VMs moves subtly on to the topic of pairing in heraldry.
There is a heraldic shield in one of the calendar Gemini medallions. Still need to work on that one. But the MS 700 number one illustration clearly shows a heraldic armorial insignia and identifies the bearer as the du Bois family of Lincoln. So here are further examples of heraldry in the illustrations of zodiacs and calendars. Only the VMs author has decided to be a bit more deceptive, something less than obvious. The clues are sometimes hidden and separated, but the pairing paradigm exists there in VMs Zodiac's astrological and heraldic patterns. It is validated by historical grounding. This is an intentional, deliberate construction.