Bestiary The Aberdeen Bestiary

Introduction History Bestiary Codicology Bibliography

Folio 25v Commentary

Previous - Translation & Transcription - Next

full folio image of f25v f25v Text: birds, their names and songs. The dove. The writer wishes to paint a picture of the dove in all its beauty so that people who cannot understand its allegorical virtues will at least be able to perceive its physical attributes.

Comment: while the text actually refers to painting a picture of the dove with silvery wing feathers and golden tail feathers, the illustration is an elaborate illuminated initial 'C', type 3. It is painted with delicate foliage designs but does not take a lead from the wording of the text.

The illustration in detail

Main - Introduction - History - Bestiary - Search - Copyright - Codicology - Bibliography
Historic Collections - University of Aberdeen - King's College - Aberdeen - AB24 3SW
Michael Arnott
m.arnott@aberdeen.ac.uk

University of Aberdeen