No text, but a visual code

[R. Sale]

"Far from clear" is certainly valid. That is the difference between subtle hints and obvious demonstrations. The arcaded arches are clear in Pizan, but more subtle and only partial in VMs f78v.

A similar situation occurs in the comparison of the VMs cosmos with the cosmic illustration in BNF Fr. 565. "565" clearly has 43 undulations in the outer cosmic boundary, while the VMs has 43 whole or partial undulations in a cosmic boundary interrupted by connections of the eight curved spokes of the outer wheel.

Obvious demonstrations in the 'historical' manuscripts versus subtle hints and ambiguity in the VMs.

Also of interest is the historical provenance. "565" made in Paris c. 1410. "4431" made in Paris before 1414. Along with BL Harley 334, which has relevant cosmic illustrations, along with a mermaid and her companions, also from Paris, a bit later. To me, this looks like the VMs artist had a familiarity with various items produced in Paris in the first half of the 15th century, which corresponds with the VMs C-14 dating. Consequently, the VMs investigator must try to develop a similar level of familiarity in order to interpret the subtleties of the VMs illustrations.