Can I just say, what an incredible manuscript the VMS is. I am in awe of its mere existence.
After looking at (at least) a few hundred different manuscripts from Switzerland, Tirol, South Germany, Italy and even the Netherlands, from the period 1350-1470, I am:
- Unable to find a single illustration/illumination style that matches that of the VMS illuminator,
- Unable to find a single handwriting style that matches the calligraphy of the VMS scribe,
- Unable to find a single drawing that is reminiscent of the VMS,
- Unable to find a single compelling match for any of the glyphs in the VMS,
- Unable to find a single compelling explanation for the non-existent plants, vessels and charts in the VMS.
However, the scribe(s) and illuminator(s) of the VMS
must have practiced their art or at least had many years of experience is writing and drawing. So where is the mark of their art throughout an entire century? There seems to be none. Literally none of the contemporary material matches anything that is on the VMS. In short, this manuscript
should not exist.
Just ranting/awing at this masterpiece, that's all.