Feb 6, 2023
Four lepers at the gate of Samaria, France, 1372, Petrus Comestor's "Bible Historiale" (manuscript "Den Haag, MMW, 10 B 23")
The manuscript depicts the biblical story of 2 Kings 7:3-20 during the aramean siege of the city of Samaria. According to the story, the four lepers bring the news of the enemy's miraculous retreat to the guards at the gates and thus saving the city from starvation
Typical for the time period, the illustrator depicted characters from antiquity and biblical times in contemporary medieval sorroundings and wearing medieval clothing. Thus we can see the four lepers wearing the typical wide cloak and brim hat of the 14th and 15th century as well as the wooden clapper identifying them as leprous.
