MINIATURIST, French
(active around 1350 in Avignon)

Boethius: De arithmetica, De musica

c. 1350
Manuscript (V. A. 14)
Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, Naples

Boethius (c. 480–c. 525 A.D.) was a philosopher of the early 6th century. His "De institutione musica" was written toward the beginning of the sixth century and helped medieval authors during the ninth century understand Greek music. The present manuscript was copied by a Franciscan monk from Naples during the period of the Angevin domination.

The illustration on folio 47r is devoted to the representation of music. In the centre a female figure personifying the art is shown surrounded by smaller figures playing various musical instruments. They are dominated by King David, set in a circle at the top. A strong element has been noted in the execution of the figures, and it has been suggested that the manuscript was produced in the cultural environment of the Palais des Popes at Avignon.