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This codex contains the Factorum ac dictorum memorabilium (Memorable Deeds and Sayings) by Valerius Maximus, Roman historian and moralist, who worked during the reign of Tiberius (A.D. 14-37). It is a collection of episodes and anecdotes of Roman history, written around A.D. 31. The text was translated from Latin into French at the end of the 14th century.
Always popular with readers, the text was frequently published - especially in the 15th century - in a high number of lavishly illuminated manuscript. Of excellent artistic quality are the miniatures in the two-volume manuscript which is today in the University Library in Leipzig. It was produced for the Treasurer of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Jean de Gros of Bruges. The 9 miniatures in the manuscript are probably the work of a great master of late Gothic illumination, the so-called Master of the Dresden Hours (active c. 1460-1515) who typically represents the accomplishment of the Ghent-Bruges style.
The miniature on folio 137v (Volume 1) deals with the contrasts between dignified and immoderate, dissolute behaviour. To illustrate this, the miniaturist shows two opposing kinds of table manners. The layout of the page strives to achieve a harmonious composition of picture, text and decoration.
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