Do you feel a slight tinge of melancholy during these dark winter days? According to the Tacuinum Sanitatis a good remedy is to consume fatty duck meat – just like this hawk is about to do, diving after a duck which is trying to find refuge among a flock of white geese. This depiction originates in the Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis (Latin for Table of Health), one of the most extensively illuminated medical manuscripts ever produced, and named after the House of Liechtenstein who owned the manuscript.
A hawk chasing a duck trying to hide among a flock of geese (fol. 34v). The Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis. Illuminated manuscript in Latin on vellum, Italy, Padua, c. 1450.
Through 130 beautiful pictures the Tacuinum provides unparalleled insights into 15th-century life, depicting men and women from different social classes eating and drinking, preparing food, visiting shops, harvesting, conversing around a fire, and playing musical instruments. These snapshots of daily life are interspersed with identifiable plants, depictions of the seasons, beloved pets, as well as animals led to slaughter. This manuscript contains a wide array of scenes of daily life rarely seen elsewhere: like this couple eating crayfish – believed to be an aphrodisiac. Through its illustrations we as readers get to experience not only the living quarters of the wealthy but medieval kitchens, gardens, and fields of peasants, merchants, and townspeople.
Advertisement
A man and a woman eating crayfish wile a servant looks on and a dog snuffles under the table. Crayfish were believed to act as an aphrodisiac. (fol. 44v). The Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis. Illuminated manuscript in Latin on vellum, Italy, Padua, c. 1450.
The numerous illuminations were meant to demonstrate how to lead a healthy life through regulation of food and drink, rest and exercise, and mental self-care. In doing so the Tacuinum follows to the Galenic tradition of humoral balance. The text of the Tacuinum finds its roots in the work of the Arab physician and theologian Ibn Butlan of Bagdhad, active in the 11th century. However, the miniatures are now presented without their accompanying text, as the pages were trimmed in the 19th century when the manuscript was being rebound.
A man carrying turnips, allegedly good for treating dry intestines, bad eyesight and a great support for coitus (fol. 21v). The Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis. Illuminated manuscript in Latin on vellum, Italy, Padua, c. 1450.
Many of the proposed cures derived from plants seem strange nowadays, but their active ingredients are still used by modern medicine, albeit for vastly different purposes. For example, according to the Tacuinum, anis seed was meant to cure hiccups, fennel cured fevers, camphor helped with nosebleeds and to combat burning eyes, violets could calm frenzies, turnips were great for eyesight and helped with lovemaking, while raisins were meant to soothe stomach aches. Often gifted to loved ones, the Tacuinum provided an all-encompassing guide to well-being which is echoed in modern medicine with its more holistic understanding of body, mind, and soul.
Advertisement
This book and many other rare medieval manuscript treasures will be on display at the Basel gallery of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books during their annual Christmas Exhibition, which is open by appointment only.
A merchant selling raisins to a man and a child. Raisins were meant to soothe stomach aches. (fol. 26r). The Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis. Illuminated manuscript in Latin on vellum, Italy, Padua, c. 1450.
All images courtesy of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books AG.
By Natascha A. Domeisen
Do you feel a slight tinge of melancholy during these dark winter days? According to the Tacuinum Sanitatis a good remedy is to consume fatty duck meat – just like this hawk is about to do, diving after a duck which is trying to find refuge among a flock of white geese. This depiction originates in the Liechtenstein Tacuinum Sanitatis (Latin for Table of Health), one of the most extensively illuminated medical manuscripts ever produced, and named after the House of Liechtenstein who owned the manuscript.
Through 130 beautiful pictures the Tacuinum provides unparalleled insights into 15th-century life, depicting men and women from different social classes eating and drinking, preparing food, visiting shops, harvesting, conversing around a fire, and playing musical instruments. These snapshots of daily life are interspersed with identifiable plants, depictions of the seasons, beloved pets, as well as animals led to slaughter. This manuscript contains a wide array of scenes of daily life rarely seen elsewhere: like this couple eating crayfish – believed to be an aphrodisiac. Through its illustrations we as readers get to experience not only the living quarters of the wealthy but medieval kitchens, gardens, and fields of peasants, merchants, and townspeople.
The numerous illuminations were meant to demonstrate how to lead a healthy life through regulation of food and drink, rest and exercise, and mental self-care. In doing so the Tacuinum follows to the Galenic tradition of humoral balance. The text of the Tacuinum finds its roots in the work of the Arab physician and theologian Ibn Butlan of Bagdhad, active in the 11th century. However, the miniatures are now presented without their accompanying text, as the pages were trimmed in the 19th century when the manuscript was being rebound.
Many of the proposed cures derived from plants seem strange nowadays, but their active ingredients are still used by modern medicine, albeit for vastly different purposes. For example, according to the Tacuinum, anis seed was meant to cure hiccups, fennel cured fevers, camphor helped with nosebleeds and to combat burning eyes, violets could calm frenzies, turnips were great for eyesight and helped with lovemaking, while raisins were meant to soothe stomach aches. Often gifted to loved ones, the Tacuinum provided an all-encompassing guide to well-being which is echoed in modern medicine with its more holistic understanding of body, mind, and soul.
This book and many other rare medieval manuscript treasures will be on display at the Basel gallery of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books during their annual Christmas Exhibition, which is open by appointment only.
All images courtesy of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books AG.
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse