Ars moriendi. - Gerson, Jean, 1363-1429; Willsie, Bruce C., 1957-; Princeton University. Library ([Germany or low counties] : [producer not identified], 1500)
1.1r-16v: “Incipit tractatus de arte moriendi magistri Johannis gerson cancellarii Parisiensis. Cum de presentis exilii miseria mortis transitus propter moriendi inperitiam ... Capitulum primum. Cum omnium terribilium mors corporis sit terribilissima, ut ait philosophus ...” Explicit: “... mediante gratia omnipotentis dei Qui regnat in celis et benedictus est in secula. Amen. Explicit tractatus moriendi magistri Johannis gerson Parisiensis.”
The text contains a prologue and contents list (fol. 1r); 6 chapters, the last one comprised of 7 prayers (fols. 1r-16v); and an Admonitio (fol. 16v). The devotional text known as the Ars moriendi, as well as variant titles, is attributed in the present manuscript to Jean Gerson (1363-1429).
Script: Hybrida libraria by a scribe from Germany or the Low Countries, who was also responsible for corrections made on the line and in the margins.
Decoration: The incipit, rubrics, 3- and 2-line initials, paraph marks, crosses, and asterisks are in red ink. Some initial letters are stroked in red as well.
Germany (?), late 19th century. Brown half-calf and paper (with printed woodgrain pattern) over pasteboard.
Princeton MS. 199, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Bruce C. Willsie
Keywords: Death -- Early works to 1800.; Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- Germany; Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- New Jersey -- Princeton; Illumination of books and manuscripts