The "4 Ages of Man" Folio

[-JKP-]

Upon further investigation on the subject I want to check whether the so-called "digitus virilis" as a gesture could have a meaning here or not. All I've found so far are vague references. So I looked at the "usual suspects" and came across the Ruland Psalter. There is a scene with sexual content that could show this allegorical finger. Is this what is meant by "digitus virilis" ?


right: British Library, Add MS 62925, c 1260, folio 62r

If it is an unusually large nose (compared to other noses in the MS), and does seem to suggest a reference to someone specific (whether real or mythical) or from a specific group.

The legend of the Salerno medical school is that it was founded by doctors from four different religious or cultural groups, often they are described as a Jew, Arab (or Muslim), Christian and Pagan.