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Medieval John LennonThis familiar-looking face features in a Latin grammar book from the 15th century. The schoolbook includes entertaining scenes that encourage students in the challenging task of learning Latin. I like this image - and not just for its early depiction of a pair of glasses. It appeals to me because I imagine looking at a medieval portrait of John Lennon. It is not often that an image from a distant past connects so vividly to a modern - familiar - face. I wonder what the medieval student who used this book thought of this portrait. I fear that without the positive connection of Lennon this is merely a squinty-eyed, somewhat sour-looking person. Or worse: the student’s Latin teacher.
Pic: Uppsala, University Library, C 678. Image taken from this blog on the book, which provides additional images.
