Illustrating Antichrist and the Day of Judgment in the Eighty-Nine Miniatures of Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale MS 579

159 Pages·2008·21.47 MB·English

by  Karlyn Marie Griffith

Florida State University Libraries
Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School
2008
Illustrating Antichrist and the Day of
Judgment in the Eighty-Nine Miniatures of
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale MS 579
Karlyn Marie Griffith
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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF VISUAL ARTS, THEATRE AND DANCE

ILLUSTRATING ANTICHRIST AND THE DAY OF JUDGMENT IN THE EIGHTY-NINE
MINIATURES OF BESANÇON, BIBLIOTHÈQUE MUNICIPALE MS 579

By
Karlyn Marie Griffith

A Thesis submitted to the
Department of Art History
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts

Degree Awarded:
Summer Semester, 2008

Copyright ©2008
Karlyn Marie Griffith
All Rights Reserved
The members of the Committee approve the thesis of Karlyn Marie Griffith defended
on May 28, 2008.

_____________________________
Richard Emmerson
Professor Directing Thesis

_____________________________
Paula Gerson
Committee Member

_____________________________
Lauren Weingarden
Committee Member

Approved:

_________________________
Richard Emmerson, Chair, Department of Art History

_________________________
Sally McRorie, Dean, College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance

The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above named committee
members.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Professor Richard Emmerson for sharing this delightful and rich
topic with me and, of course, for his patience and guidance during this project. I would also like
to express my gratitude to Dr. Paula Gerson and Dr. Lauren Weingarden for their excellent
advice and for serving on this committee. Finally, I would especially like to thank my mother,
Kathleen Griffith, for editing my work so diligently.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES..……………………………………………………………………………. v

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………… xiii

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction…………..…...……………………………………….....………. 1

CHAPTER TWO: Illustrating the Legend of Antichrist………………….……………………. 17

CHAPTER THREE: Illustrating the Romance of Antichrist…………………...……………… 38

CHAPTER FOUR: Illustrating the Performance of Antichrist and the Day of Judgment…...… 57

CHAPTER FIVE: Conclusion…………….…………………………………...……………….. 73

APPENDIX A: The Miniatures of Besançon 579 …….…………....………...………………... 78

APPENDIX B: Comparanda………………...……………..…………………………………. 119

BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………... 135

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH………………………………………………………………….. 145

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LIST OF FIGURES

1. Christ in Judgment before Mary and the Saints and the suffering of the
damned in hell (frontispiece). Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 2v
Source: all images from Besançon 579 are courtesy of Richard Emmerson…..…………...... 78

2. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8r...……....………………...……….….. 79

3. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24v ……...…….………...…………….. 80

4. The Preacher in a pulpit addresses a crowd.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 3r ...………………………………...…. 81

5. Devils gather for council. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 4v …...…….. 81

6. Engignart and Agrappart search for Antichrist’s mother in Babylon.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 6r …...………………………………… 82

7. Engignart disguised as a man seduces the Mother of Antichrist in a garden.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 6r ………...…………………………… 82

8. Engignart and Antichrist’s Mother conceive Antichrist.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 6v …...…...……………………………. 83

9. Engignart rejoins Agrappart post-copulation in a garden.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 6v ...…...……….………….……..…… 83

10. After Antichrist’s conception, the devils dance in hell.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 7r ……...…………………………..… 84

11. Antichrist’s Mother converses with the Girl in a garden.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 7v .……….………..…………….…… 84

12. Seated within a gothic structure, Antichrist’s Mother labors in pain
while the Girl assists her. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8r....…...….. 85

13. The Girl holds a swaddled Antichrist postpartum, while the Mother of Antichrist
lies in bed. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8r …...…………………… 85

14. After Agrappart announces Antichrist’s birth, the devils celebrate in hell.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8r ………...………………………….. 86

15. The Girl brings baby Antichrist to the Mother of Antichrist who lies in bed with
outstretched arms. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8v ……....……..… 86

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16. Antichrist’s Mother presents her baby to two devils, Hazart and le Matam,
dressed as men. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 8v …………………... 87

17. An angel calls Enoch and Elijah from the Earthly Paradise.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 9r …………...………………….……. 87

18. Enoch and Elijah stand in pulpits and preach to a crowd.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 9v ……...………………….…………. 88

19. Satan, dressed as a man instructs young Antichrist.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 10r ….….……………………….…… 88

20. Satan bestows his authority upon Antichrist who is seated.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 10v ……………...…………….…….. 89

21. Antichrist dressed as a Franciscan stands in a pulpit and
preaches before a crowd while his knights stand behind him.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 10v ……...…………………………… 89

22. Antichrist heals the Blind Man who kneels before him as a crowd watches.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 11r ………...…………….…………... 90

23. Annes approaches Antichrist who is seated in a gothic building while the Blind Man
addresses a crowd. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 11v ………...…… 90

24. Antichrist and Annes discuss minting coins engraved with Antichrist’s image,
while a craftsman makes the coins.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 11v ...………………………………… 91

25. Annes gives Pluto, now dressed as a man, the proclamation and a coin while
Antichrist watches. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 12r …...……...….. 91

26. Pluto stands on a platform and reads the proclamation before a crowd.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 12r ……….……………………….…. 92

27. Antichrist seated in a gothic structure cures the Leper who kneels before him
while a crowd watches. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 12v ...….…… 92

28. The evil Bishop approaches Antichrist who is seated in a gothic structure
and surrounded by his knights. Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 13r ……….……. 93

29. Antichrist, the Bishop, and a crowd arrive at the cemetery.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579 folio 13v ………………………………….... 93

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30. Antichrist raises a dead man from his coffin.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 13v …………………...……….……... 94

31. The Bishop pledges his support to Antichrist who is seated in a gothic building,
while the Resurrected Body enters the city gate.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 14r …....……………………….…….. 94

32. Dagobert, the first king, addresses the nine other kings.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 14r ………..……………………….… 95

33. The ten kings approach Antichrist seated in a gothic building.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 15r …...…...……….………………… 95

34. The Resurrected Body shows the ten kings his coffin and the Blind Man
shows that he can see while Antichrist and a crowd watch.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 15v ……......…………………….…… 96

35. Antichrist gives gifts to the poor while the kings watch.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 16r ….....……………………….……. 96

36. Antichrist gives clothes and money to the poor and lame while the kings watch.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 16v ………………...………….……... 97

37. King Agoulant pledges his support to Antichrist while the other kings watch.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 16v …..………………………….…… 97

38. Two Jews, Vivans and Marquim, warn a seated Antichrist of Enoch and
Elijah’s preaching. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 17r …...……..…... 98

39. Vivans and Marquim lead the knights to Enoch and Elijah.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 17v ……...……………………….…… 98

40. A band of knights seizes Enoch and Elijah.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 17v ……….….…………………….… 99

41. The knights deliver Enoch and Elijah to Antichrist, who is seated in a
gothic building. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 18r …….…...…….… 99

42. Enoch and Elijah are beaten by two knights wielding sticks while Antichrist
watches. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 18v …...…...………….……100

43. Enoch and Elijah pray for mercy before two knights lead them to their execution.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 19r ……………...…………………...100

44. Two knights decapitate Enoch and Elijah before a crowd and Jews.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 19v ……...………………….……..... 101
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45. The knights return to Antichrist after executing the Two Witnesses.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 19v ..…...……………….………..… 101

46. The knights plan to attack the Pope.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 20r …...………………………….…. 102

47. The knights arrest the Pope and cardinals.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 20r …...………………….……...….. 102

48. The knights bring the Pope, cardinals, and other religious prisoners to Antichrist.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 21r …......….……………………….. 103

49. Antichrist commands his knights to take the Pope to prison.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 22r …………………………………. 103

50. Antichrist seated in a gothic building is addressed by a kneeling cardinal while other
cardinals watch. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 22r ……………….. 104

51. The First Angel summons Enoch and Elijah, who emerge from their coffins before
onlookers. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 22v ..……………………. 104

52. The Second Angel leads the resurrected bodies of Enoch and Elijah to heaven,
represented as a white gothic building, while a crowd watches.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 22v ………………………………..... 105

53. Mossé, dressed as a man, beats the Good Christian with stick while a crowd watches.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 23r ………...……………………….. 105

54. John the Evangelist distributes vials of wrath to three angels.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 23v ……….……...…………………. 106

55. Christ seated in a white gothic building addresses two angels.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24r ……....…………………………. 106

56. Vivans and Annes watch as the First Angel emerges from a cloud
and pours his vial of wrath over those who worshipped Antichrist.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24r ….……...…………..…………... 107

57. The First Angel empties the remainder of his vial over a pile of dead bodies.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24v …....……………………………. 107

58. The Second Angel pours a vial of wrath over Antichrist’s knights.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24v ……………………...………….. 108

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59. The Second Angel empties the remainder of his vial over a pile of dead knights.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 24v …....……………………………. 108

60. Christ seated in a gothic building instructs three angels.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 25r ….……...………………………. 109

61. The Fourth Angel pours his vial over Antichrist, whose dead body lies over
his dead followers. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 25r .…...……….. 109

62. The Fifth Angel pours a vial of wrath over Antichrist’s throne.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 25v …...…...………………….…….. 110

63. Beelzebub abandons the body he had falsely resurrected as onlookers
watch in dismay. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 25v ………………. 110

64. The Sixth Angel empties his vial over the uncharitable and powerful.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 26r …...……...….………………….. 111

65. Satan rallies three devils to wage a war against God.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 26v ….…...………….……………… 111

66. A band of devils arms for war.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 26v …………………………………. 112

67. John and the Evangelists kneel before Christ enthroned in a gothic building.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 29r ….……...………...…………….. 112

68. Christ sends the Four Evangelists, who hold trumpets, to raise the dead before
the Last Judgment. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 29v ….…...……. 113

69. The Four Evangelists blow their trumpets over several coffins.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 29v …....……..………….………….. 113

70. The Evil Bishop and Abbess rise from their coffins, while two devils wait to
escort them to hell. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 30v ...….………. 114

71. King Agoulant and others rise from their coffins while a devil waits to take them to hell.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 30v ………...……………………….. 114

72. The Usurer and his household rise from their coffins before a seated
and judging Christ. Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 31v …………..... 115

73. Christ seated condemns the Usurers to hell and they are taken away by Hazard.
Besançon, Bibliothèque Municipale, MS 579, folio 32r ………………...……………….. 115

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