The Berenson Library has recently acquired numerous facsimile editions of Renaissance manuscripts that were either illuminated by Italian artists or commissioned or owned by Italian patrons. A selection of the most splendid reproductions or important purchases is on view in the Berenson Reading Room and the vestibule of the Gould Hall.
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The Berenson Library has recently acquired seven facsimile editions of manuscripts, including editions of Dante, liturgical manuscripts, and two works illustrated by miniaturist Giulio Clovio for the Farnese family. The original of the first of the two Dante manuscripts, the “Dante Poggiali” can be found at the Biblioteca Nazionale here in Florence. It is the oldest known illustrated version of the Divina Commedia, dating from the second quarter of the 14th century, with textual glosses provided by Jacopo Alighieri, son of the poet. Thirty-seven of the detailed illuminations are attributed to the Florentine workshop of artist Pacino di Bonaguida (active 1302-1340). |
The Berenson Library has recently acquired seven facsimile editions of manuscripts, including editions of Dante, liturgical manuscripts, and two works illustrated by miniaturist Giulio Clovio for the Farnese family. The original of the first of the two Dante manuscripts, the “Dante Poggiali” can be found at the Biblioteca Nazionale here in Florence. It is the oldest known illustrated version of the Divina Commedia, dating from the second quarter of the 14th century, with textual glosses provided by Jacopo Alighieri, son of the poet. Thirty-seven of the detailed illuminations are attributed to the Florentine workshop of artist Pacino di Bonaguida (active 1302-1340).
The second facsimile is of the “Dante Estense” (014087639), which resides in the Biblioteca Estense in Modena. This manuscript was produced slightly later in Italy, ca. 1380-1390. The entire text is complete and the pages are illustrated with scenes from the text in the top margin.
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Two of the books acquired are large missals: liturgical books that contain texts said or sung at Masses during the ecclesiastical year. The first missal (013775756) was[JK3] begun under Gian Lucido Gonzaga and after his death was completed under the patronage of Barbara of Brandenburg, who had married into the Gonzaga family. The work was carried out by no less than three miniaturists, including Belbello di Pavia and Girolamo da Cremona, and production spanned 1442-1465. The original piece is located at the Archivio Diocesano in Mantua. |
The second missal, dating from the end of the 15th century, is called the “Giorgio di Challant” (014087642) after its patron, and resides in the Chiesa of San Pietro e Orso in Aosta. The beautiful anonymous illustrations include depictions of Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints’ Day, and possess intricate borders with natural seasonal themes.
The Libri D’Ore di Modena (014087641) is a book of hours containing devotional prayers to the Virgin Mary. The manuscript contains a wealth of decoration in the international Gothic style, including 2500 illuminated initials and 28 full-page images of religious holidays and saints[JK5] . The miniatures are attributed to Tomasino da Vimercate, who was a member of the Milanese workshop of Giovannino de’ Grassi. The work dates to 1390 and was commissioned by Balzarino de Pusterla, ambassador and courtier of Gian Galeazzo and Filippo Maria Visconti. The original is housed in the Biblioteca Estense.
Vasari said of the talents of miniaturist Giulio Clovio (1498-1578), “superato in questo gl’antichi e‘ moderni, e che sia stato a’ tempo nostri un piccolo e nuovo Michelagnolo “(sic). Clovio was a member of several important households, and his final post was in the house of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589), for whom he produced two masterpieces, the Farnese Hours (009112161) and the Towneley Lectionary (014087643). As both of the original manuscripts currently reside in New York City, the library is pleased to own these facsimile copies for consultation. The Towneley Lectionary was produced in the mid-16th century, and Clovio’s gilded miniatures include depictions of the Adoration of the Shepherds[JK6] , the Sermon on the Mount, the Resurrection, and the Last Judgment. In contrast, the Farnese Hours (1546) is much smaller in size, and the more intimate design contains 26 full-page miniatures, with each facing pair juxtaposing scenes from the Old and[JK7] New Testaments. Both manuscripts contain fine examples of Humanistic scripts.
(Images courtesy of the Biblioteca Berenson, Facsimile Finder, NYPL, and the Morgan Library)