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Boccaccio and Fortune (Detail of Marginal #1)

Boucicaut Master

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

On the right, the allegorical figure of Fortune appears before Boccaccio, the author of the book. The artist partially followed Boccaccio's text, which describes Fortune as having wings and multiple arms. The wings attest to Fortune's flightiness and swiftness, while her many arms indicate that no one can escape her grasp. The text goes on to say, however, that she is a hideous monster, whereas the artist chose to depict her as a beautiful courtly lady. Functioning as an author portrait, the image shows Boccaccio in profile and dressed as a scholar. He sits at a circular writing desk, which turns to allow easy access to his reference books. The confrontation of the author with Fortune corresponds to a recurrent theme in Boccaccio's narratives: the power of Fortune over humankind.

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  • Title: Boccaccio and Fortune (Detail of Marginal #1)
  • Creator: Boucicaut Master
  • Date Created: about 1413–1415
  • Location Created: Paris, France
  • Physical Dimensions: Leaf: 42 × 29.6 cm (16 9/16 × 11 5/8 in.)
  • Type: Folio
  • External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
  • Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment
  • Terms of Use: Open Content
  • Number: 96.MR.17.172v
  • Culture: French
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. 63, fol. 172v
  • Creator Display Name: Boucicaut Master or workshop (French, active about 1390 - 1430)
  • Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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