Flavius Josephus: The Jewish Antiquities

In 15th century a large number of illuminated manuscripts were dedicated to the Jewish past. The most famous version is the present edition in two volumes now kept in the Biblioth�que Nationale in Paris. This manuscript contains the history of the Jews based on the Old Testament as well as the history of the Jewish revolt against Rome until the fall of the fortress of Masada in A.D. 72. It is a translation from Latin to French, datable to the period of Charles V. The 11 large-scale miniatures were executed by Jean Fouquet and his assistants.

The miniature on folio 248r illustrates the entry of Ptolemy I Soter into Jerusalem, although the event has been transferred to a medieval setting. Ptolemy, appearing in the foreground as an ostentatious brawler entering the city on horseback, was a general of Alexander the great. After Alexander’s death and the division of his realm, Ptolemy was awarded the title of King of Egypt, where he ruled until his death in 283 B.C. The account by Flavius Josephus according to which Ptolemy also took Jerusalem at some stage is not proven historically.

Fouquet depicts the triumphal entry with his typical skill at depicting crowded scenes and pictorial depth.