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FRANCESCO PETRARCA, 1304-1374
De remediis utriusque fortune
On parchment
France, second half of the 15th century
MS 203, ff. 83v - 84r
This page begins the prologue of the second book of the De remediis, Petrarch’s encyclopedic book of moral philosophy. In this part, Sorrow and Fear engage in a dialogue about the remedies for the ills brought on by adverse fortune. Among the topics in the second book are ugliness, illness, base birth, poverty, servants, importunate neighbors, shipwreck, exile, old age, gout, bad dreams, earthquakes, toothache, blindness, the seven deadly sins, and the fear of death.
The De remediis enjoyed lively popularity in France, where this manuscript was produced. It is elaborately decorated, as can be seen with the elegant gold initial on f. 84r, the lavish use of gold and colors, and the red velvet binding. Unfortunately, many folios, which probably contained the best illuminations, have been cut out. Two of the missing illuminated leaves are now in the Free Library of Philadelphia (Lewis European MSS T 188 and T 189).
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