Picture strips for the Old Testament and full-page miniatures for the New: a visually stunning masterpiece created by the greatest artists of the early Italian Renaissance
Bible moralisée of Naples
Naples (Italy) — 1340–1350

Bible moralisée of Naples
Naples (Italy) — 1340–1350
Commissioned by Robert the Wise (1275–1343) of the House of Anjou, King of Naples
204 splendidly gilded miniatures evocative of the great masters of the Italian Renaissance were made in Naples ca. 1350
Two completely different styles: image strips for the Old Testament and full-page miniatures for the New Testament

Bible moralisée
St. Joachim and a Shepherd
This is one of the shepherds who St. Joachim, father of the Virgin Mary, spent time with in the desert while he was fasting and doing penance after his sacrifice was rejected. The French illuminators have styled him as a shepherd in the mid-14th century: he wears a cap with a pointed brim and has a trimmed beard, his purple-grey tunic has a hood and goes down to his knees, revealing red tights tucked into brown calf-length books. A ram sniffs at his stick curiously as he drives the herd.
Bible moralisée of Naples
Short Description
The Bible moralisée of Naples originates from between 1340 and 1350 and was commissioned by Robert of Anjou. The work served as a template for many further books of this type. It contains 204 artistic illustrations, which visually depict selected stories from the New and Old Testaments. The depictions of scenes from the New Testament are especially impressive and valuable.
Bible Moralisée of Naples
The term Bible moralisée indicates a type of very splendidly illuminated Gothic manuscript. In this work, the illustrations from the Bible were confronted respectively with typologically “moralized” (meaning interpreted) images. This type of book originates from ** the French court ca. 1220/30 **. An astoundingly artistic Bible moralisée originates from Naples between 1340 and 1350. The codex contains 204 elaborately designed miniatures, which are richly embellished with gold.
A Trademark of the French Sovereign
The Bible moralisée was commissioned by Robert the Wise of the House of Anjou, King of Naples. With this book type, which had its roots in France, the sovereign wanted to remind himself of his French heritage. Numerous French rulers had bibles made for them according to this template. The illuminated manuscript was decorated by a highly talented master, who collaborated with the famous Italian painter and sculptor Giotto di Bondone.
New Stylistic Impulses
The text of the Bible moralisée, like other codices of this type, contains selected biblical passages from the Old and New Testaments. Even so, the illuminator carried out modifications from earlier examples in the design of the work. The first 128 miniatures consist of full-page illustrations, which are divided into two scenes. The upper depiction always shows a biblical passage, while the lower scene interprets this biblical passage. Every one of these artistically valuable miniatures is framed by colorful bordures patterned with plant tendrils. Following this picture cycle are 76 astonishing paintings, which show scenes from the New Testament. Each one of these images has a costly gold background and are strongly reminiscent of the paintings of the great masters of the Italian Renaissance. The significance of this second picture cycle is especially emphasized by art historians. Altogether, the Bible moralisée from Naples represents a masterpiece of medieval book art.
Codicology
- Size / Format
- 384 pages / 31.0 x 21.0 cm
- Origin
- Naples (Italy)
- Date
- 1340–1350
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 204 illuminations with gold

Bible moralisée of Naples
Pilate Washing his Hands
“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” (Matt. 27:24). Thus begins the final and brutal chapter of the Passion. This miniature combines the above scene with that of Christ taking up his cross.
The arrangement of the miniature gives a sense drama as Pilate symbolically washes his hands of responsibility at the same time as Christ is led off to Golgotha by soldiers equipped with silver helmets and red shields typical of the 14th century. Their leader holds a rope that is tied around the Messiah’s neck, while another prevents a weeping Mary from getting close to her son, who is looking back at her.
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Bible moralisée of Naples“
Biblia de Nápoles
- Publisher
- M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2009
- Limited Edition
- 987 copies
- Binding
- Brown leather with gold applications
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Marianne Besseyre and Yves Christe
Language: Spanish - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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