Petrarch-ranks-of-man-remediis-milan-braidense-ad-xiii-30-f1-c1400

This ranks-of-man design (estates and conditions) came from a Milanese manuscript of Francesco Petrarch's De Remediis Utriusque Fortunae, c.1400. (MS. Biblioteca Nationale Braidense AD XIII 30.) It is attributed to the workshop of Fra Pietro da Pavia, a miniaturist active late 14th century. It depicts the auctor addressing his work to an audience representing all Mankind, from the highest (the pope) to the lowest (a pauper and a jester). Remediis consists of dialogues between the Passions (Hope, Fear, Joy, Sorrow) and Virtue (Reason), and the lessons about Fortune apply to all. The figures are assembled on grass, with a diapered background. (Such decorative backgrounds were commonly seen in medieval miniatures, being gradually replaced with landscapes in the 15th century. This particular style is reminiscent of Provençal manuscripts.)
From left to right, the figures include Jester/Fool (with a monkey, red-beaked black bird, cage of other birds); Minstrel (playing a lute); Merchant (with an open chest of money); Doctor of Law (with books); Pope (with a tiara and processional staff); Petrarch (enthroned in a Gothic cathedra, with a pen and open book showing the incipit of Remediis: Cum res fortunasque); King (crowned, with orb, scepter, ermine trimmed robe); Soldier (with crossbow); Gentleman (with falcon and hounds); Woman (blond, with red dress); Shepherd/Pauper (with ragged clothes, sheep, cudgel). The text on the left side reads: Francisci Petrarce laureati. De Remediis utriusque fortune. Liber primus incipit.