“Miserere Mei, Deus”

Abstract

In the late Middle Ages, the trials and tribulations of Job served as an exemplar for the devout as they made their way through their religious lives. His narrative became popular in private devotional manuscripts as a way to meditate on a life dedicated to God in spite of great hardships. This article will begin with a brief history of the development of Jobian iconography and the story of Job. This analysis will then examine the most common scenes found in books of hours from Job’s narrative, the compositions of which differ depending on the textual source that had been consulted. Finally, the purpose of Jobian iconography in books of hours will be discussed with emphasis on its placement within the program of the manuscript.