Unknown: De civitate Dei, folio 7 (1480)
An illuminated page made unknown French artists. This page from a copy of De civitate Dei (The City of God), a famous book of Christian philosophy written in Latin by Augustine of Hippo in the early 5th century AD. The book presents human history as a conflict between what Augustine calls the Earthly City (or the City of Man) and the City of God, a conflict that is destined to end in victory for the latter. The City of God is marked by people who forgo earthly pleasure to dedicate themselves to the eternal truths of God, now revealed fully in the Christian faith. The Earthly City, on the other hand, consists of people who have immersed themselves in the cares and pleasures of the present, passing world. Raoul de Presles (1316 - 1382) translated the book into French, a councillor of King Charles V of France. This book is a copy of the translation of Raoul de Presles. shown here is folio 7 which shows various scenes:
- Top: The City of God
- Middle: The Earthly City
- Bottom: Hell
On the right side are various church fathers depicted (a Church father/ doctor is an influential Christian theologian and/ or writer who established the intellectual and doctrinal foundations of Christianity). From top to bottom:
- The Latin Church Fathers: Augustine of Hippo, Jerome of Stridonium, Pope Gregory I the Great, Hilary of Poitiers & Ambrose of Milan
- The Franciscan Church Doctors: Alexander of Hales, Bonaventure & John Duns Scotus
- The Dominican Church Doctors: Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas & Peter of Tarentaise
- The Augustinian Church Doctors: Thomas of Strasbourg, Gregory of Rimini & Giles of Rome
- The Carmelite Church Doctors: Thomas Netter of Walden, Jean de Bologne & Jean Golein
An illuminated page made in ca 1480.