Skip to main content

Descriptions of various medieval arts, from De coloribus et artibus Romanorum by Eraclius and De diversis artibus by Theophilus Presbyter , 12th-13th century

 part
Identifier: MS 123/ff. 154v-155v

Contents

This section contains descriptions of and instructions for various medieval arts. Some of them are from De coloribus et artibus Romanorum, commonly attributed to Eraclius or Heraclius. Books One and Two of this text were probably compiled between the 7th and 12th centuries, while Book Three was added during the 12th and 13th centuries. This manuscript contains items II, III, IV, VI, VII of this text in verse, and prose versions of VIII, IX, X, XI, XIII, XVII, XIX, XXI.

The prose versions are attributed to Theophilus, and appear in his De diversis artibus (On various arts). Theophilus Presbyter, also called Rugerus, is the pseudonymous author or compiler of this text, which was probably first compiled between 1100 and 1120. The work is sometimes called Schedula diversarum artium (List of various arts).

This section starts on f. 154v with the words De tribus filiis Noe septuaginta due gentes procreate sunt. Following this, various descriptions and instructions are listed. The titles for each entry are as follows:

f. 154v: De incidendis arboribus; De sculptura vitri; De aurea scriptura

f. 155r: De floribus ad scribendum aptis; De pictura ex vitro facta; De hedera; De viridi colore; De temperamento ferri; Quomodo lapis ferro incidatur; Quomodo cuprum felle daburetur

f. 155v: De vitro faciendo; De incidendo ebore; De pictura cum vitro viridi; De geminis lucidandis; De viridi colore faciendo; Unde dicti sint capellani; De pictura cum albo vitro

This section ends on f. 155v with the words ab igne extrahe et sic utere.

Writing

This section is written in the same hand as the rest of the manuscript.

Dates

  • Creation: 12th-13th century

Creator

Language of Materials

Latin

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.

Extent

3 folios

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379