In Herrad from Landsberg’s 12th century illuminated manuscript Hortus Deliciarum, Psychomachia - or the battles between virtues and vices - are shown in illustrations as being enacted solely by women. In what is thought to be the first encyclopaedia written by a woman, for women, Herrad’s manuscript contains poems, music, texts and most famously illustrations symbolising theological, philosophical and literary themes.
Recognisable in contemporary culture, another illustration from Hortus Deliciarum is Fortuna, known as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in English, ‘Glücksrad’ in German, ‘La Roue de la fortune’ in French and ‘La Ruota Della Fortuna’ in Italian - most commonly associated today with the universally broadcast TV gameshow.
Overseen by our game show host Henry Grey, the contestants Kristina Lind, Elvina Ibraimova, Maria Chiara Bono and Carollina de Souza Bastos will strive for supremacy in a conflict as relevant in the 21st century as in the 12th.