Pietro Bussolo, “Figure of a prophet”, Lombardy, c. 1490

The prophet wears a long, loose-fitting blue tunic, sandals and a cloak bordered with foliage scrolls and dotted with cartouches that alternately frame the letters I. H. S. topped by a cross and the Pax symbol. He wears an oriental cap wrapped in a turban and his face is framed by a beard and mustache. He holds a long parchment scroll (phylactery) that coils around his cloak, and indicates the inscription it bears: “EGO SVM SEVM PATER TVVS NOLI TIMERE NON MORIERIS” (I am your Father, fear not, you shall not die; Gen. 26:24, Prophet Isaac ?).