Morten St George Theory

[Linda]

I've found something in Wikipedia that lends support to my theory that the Europe-related content of the VMS dates from the 13th century (when Cathars migrated to the Americas) rather than from the 15th century. Specifically, I've found the following drawing that is dated circa 1200:



Let's now compare that with the following VMS drawings:



The first one (sun with rays) reminds of the ca. 1200 sun with rays. The second one (moon with stars) reminds me of the ca. 1200 moon with stars. And the third one (odd design) reminds me of the ca. 1200 odd-looking hat.

Of major relevance, however, is what Wikipedia has to say about the ca. 1200 drawing:

"It is very uncommon for an illustration of the high medieval period to show Sun and Moon with faces; this is a direct precedent of a convention that would become widespread only in the Renaissance period, some 300 years later (e.g. Nuremberg Chronicles, 1493)."

I take it that "very uncommon" implies that the monks of northern Italy were not busy churning out drawings of the Sun and Moon with faces during the period 1404 - 1438 (the radiocarbon range of the VMS). Note that the Sun and Moon with faces make repeated appearances in the VMS so, for the VMS authors, it clearly had some cultural or religious significance not otherwise seen in Europe during the early 15th century.

Conclusion: Authorship of the VMS in 15th-century Italy (or anywhere else in Europe) has now become even more incredulous.

So you just used the argument that since it is uncommon to use sun and moon faces until 1493 that it must be based on one from 1200. That would be a feeble argument even if JKP hadn't just proven you wrong by showing several contemporary precedents.. the style of the faces and the depictions of these celestial bodies do not match other than the ring around the sun.

Given that the late 15th century woodcuts match the vms more closely than your example, i would say that the vms suns and moons were based on later examples than the one you have chosen, some common precedent. There are many many depictions of creation, and as you yourself have said, many have been lost as well. 

You would have to find a more stylistic match than that one to convince me that is the very one that the vms drawings are based upon. 



The odd looking hat statement seems provocative. If it isnt, then your iconographic abilities should be called into question even moreso.