This illustration was part of a life and passion of st. Maurice sent from venetian nobleman and provveditore, jacopo antonio marcello to king rene, c. 1453. The illuminations have been attributed to andrea mantegna or jacopo bellini. The manuscript is in the bibliotheque de l'arsenal, ms. 940, folio 39r. The elephant has a huge structure on its back, representing the venetian ducal palace. The top banner, intended to express venetian sentiment, reads: "i acknowledge that you sustained me when i was falling. " the lower banner, intended to represent marcello, reads: "i deny this for it is by divine power that you escaped. ". Date: circa 1453.
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