St. Paul
ca. 1440
The Netherlands, Utrecht
MS M.917/945, pp. 212–213
Purchased on the Belle da Costa Greene Fund with the assistance of the Fellows, 1963
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Paul, balding and with a long forked beard, stands in the ubiquitous setting of the tiled floor and textiled background. Dressed in a long blue robe and orange cloak, the apostle holds a sword, instrument of his martyrdom, and a book, the Gospels. In the border a child-like king, possibly David, wrestles with a lion. The meaning of this charming image and its connection to St. Paul are unclear.