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Anjou Bible

Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands)

Court of Robert of Anjou, King of Naples, Naples (Italy) — Ca. 1340

The royal wedding gift for the future Queen of Naples: gold-decorated Trecento opulence as a testimony to the Anjou dynasty in southern Italy, commissioned by Robert the Wise for his heir to the throne Joanna I.

  1. Due to the early death of her father, Joanna I (1325–1382) became heir to the throne of Robert I of Anjou (1276–1343), King of Naples

  2. She married Andrew of Hungary in 1342 and came to rule just two years later, despite various political conflicts

  3. This magnificent Bible manuscript is an invaluable document of the Anjou dynasty and the socio-cultural life of the time

Anjou Bible

PM 0001.V Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands)
Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands)
Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
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  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Anjou Bible

The magnificent Anjou Bible is not only an art-historical treasure of southern Italian medieval art, but also an invaluable document of the Anjou dynasty and the socio-cultural life of the time. It was commissioned by Robert I of Anjou (1276-1343), King of Naples, as a wedding gift for his granddaughter and heir to the throne Joanna I of Naples (1325-1382). She married Andrew of Hungary in 1342. The precious Bible manuscript contains both the Old and New Testaments, with each new section of text being introduced by an elaborately historiated initial. These are accompanied by expansive, fantastical borders, which often incorporate drôleries and bas-de-page miniatures or picture cartouches and, like the initials, are lavishly decorated with gold. The text-dominated pages are also adorned with filigree tendrils, so that almost every page of this royal manuscript is illuminated. Cristoforo Orimini also added two fascinating full-page frontispieces with genealogical depictions of the Anjou dynasty to this luxurious Trecento masterpiece.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Bibbia d'Angiò
Anjou-Bibel
Bijbel van Anjou
Malines Bibles
Mechelen Bible
Bibbia degli Angiò
Size / Format
680 pages / 42.0 × 28.0 cm
Origin
Italy
Date
Ca. 1340
Style
Gothic
Language
Latin
Script
Gothic Rotunda
Illustrations
2 full-page miniatures, over 140 historiated initials with associated borders, bas-de-page miniatures
Content
Vulgate with an index of the Hebrew names
Patron
Robert of Anjou, King of Naples
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Niccolò di Alife, John of France, Duke of Berry; Galiache Pinel, Collège d'Arras Leuven, Bibliotheek Grootseminairie Mechelen
Available facsimile editions:
Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands)
#1 La Bibbia d'Angiò
Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2022
Limited Edition: 299 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 La Bibbia d'Angiò

Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2022
Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands)
Anjou Bible – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – PM 0001.V – Maurits Sabbebibliotheek (Leuven, Netherlands) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2022
Limited Edition: 299 copies
Binding: Leather binding with gold tooling. Facsimile and commentary volume come together in a protective case.
Commentary: 1 volume by Lieve Watteeuw and Andrea Mazzucchi
Language: Italian
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