Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Title: Heloise and Abelard
  • Creator:
  • Description: Heloise, dressed in the black clothing of a Benedictine nun, is engaged in debate with Abelard, who wears the clothing of a scholar. The animated speech gestures suggest a lively conversation. Interestingly, this image departs from the text it accompanies; the illumination is from a copy of Le Roman de la Rose, a work that portrayed Abelard and Heloise as foolish lovers rather than intellectuals.
  • Source: WikiMedia Commons
  • Rights: Public doman
  • Subject (See Also): Abelard, Peter, Philosopher Heloise, Abbess of Le Paraclet Jean de Meun, Poet- Roman de la Rose- Illuminations of Love
  • Geographic Area: France
  • Century: 14
  • Date: circa 1370
  • Related Work: Le Roman de la Rose
  • Current Location: Chantilly, Musée Condé, ms fr. 482/665, fol. 160v
  • Original Location:
  • Artistic Type (Category): Digital images; Manuscript illuminations
  • Artistic Type (Material/Technique): Vellum (parchment)
  • Donor:
  • Height/Width/Length(cm): //
  • Inscription:
  • Related Resources: