…And to avoid long time silence, here’s an image of an Ass enthroned.
Roman de Fauvel, 1316 ca., Paris, BNF Ms. fr. 146; painted by the Fauvel Master, folio 11r.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Fauvel. Fauvel is an Ass with a capital A: ambitious and foolish, he has a dirty brown-coloured fur and his name is an acronym for the head letters of the vices in French, because he is a French Ass. Flaterie, Avarice, Vilanie, Varieté, Envie, Lascheté are his godmothers – or in English, Flattery, Avarice, Vileness, Variability (Fickleness), Envy and Laxity. It was originally two books but it was later expanded and the enthroned Ass pictured above is part of the expanded illuminated edition.
Roman de Fauvel, Paris, BNF Ms. fr. 146; folio 1r.
After a while Fauvel wants to marry Lady Fortune, but she refuses, saying that she has a better match for him. She suggests Lady Vainglory, whom Fauvel finally marries ina ceremony with many distinguished guests: Flirtation, Adultery, Carnal Lust, and Venus are all present.
Roman de Fauvel, BNF Ms. fr. 146; folio 36.
In the end, Lady Fortune reveals that Fauvel is destined to be fruitful and multiply, creating more immoral rulers like him and ultimately facilitating the coming of the Antichrist.
Here is Fauvel explaining something in his infinite wisdom.
Roman de Fauvel, BNF Ms. fr. 146; folio 15v.
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