Bible of Pietro Cavallini

Bible of Pietro Cavallini – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Civ. A. 72 – Civica e A. Ursino Recupero (Catania, Italy)

Naples (Italy) β€” Ca. 1300–1320

One of the most beautiful and magnificent Bibles in the world: Pietro Cavallini's enormous Trecento masterpiece with over 100 gold-decorated miniatures and hundreds of historiated and calligraphic initials

  1. Pietro Cavallini (ca. 1250 – ca. 1330) was an Italian painter and mosaic designer of the Roman school

  2. He illuminated a splendid Bible with 100+ miniatures, 167 adorned initials, and 270 calligraphic initials

  3. It was a commission of Cardinal Landolfo Brancaccio (d.1312), a friend of King Charles II of Naples

Bible of Pietro Cavallini

Civ. A. 72 Civica e A. Ursino Recupero (Catania, Italy)
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€
(7,000€ - 10,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Bible of Pietro Cavallini

This magnificent Italian manuscript is considered to be one of the five most beautiful Bibles in the world and is adorned with an astounding array of illumination: over 100 miniatures, 167 decorated initials – almost all with gold leaf – and 270 calligraphic initials. The work was created at the behest of Cardinal Landolfo Brancaccio (d. 1312), a Neapolitan aristocrat and friend of King Charles II of Naples (1254–1309). The artist responsible for completing this commission was Pietro Cavallini (ca. 1250 – ca. 1330), an Italian painter and mosaic designer from Rome about whom little else is known. Nonetheless, numerous works of art are attributed to him including mosaics in various churches and cathedrals that blend Roman forms with Byzantine influences from the East and Gothic influences from the North. The Bible he created for Cardinal Brancaccio is one of the greatest memorials not only to his own artistic created, but to the emerging Renaissance style as a whole.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Bibbia di Pietro Cavallini
Bibel des Pietro Cavallini
Size / Format
880 pages / 39.0 Γ— 26.0 cm
Origin
Italy
Date
Ca. 1300–1320
Style
Language
Script
Gothic
Illustrations
More than 100 miniatures; 167 decorated initials; 270 calligraphic initials
Content
Old and New Testament; Prologues and Epistles of Saint Jerome
Patron
Cardinal Landolfo Brancaccio
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Bible of Pietro Cavallini – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Civ. A. 72 – Civica e A. Ursino Recupero (Catania, Italy)
Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2018
Limited Edition: 699 copies
Detail Picture

Bible of Pietro Cavallini

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Jealous rivals have conspired to have Daniel tossed into a pit full of lions as punishment for defying a royal decree. King Darius, unable to change the law, reluctantly concedes but predicts Daniel’s god will save him. He returns first thing the next morning and calls to Daniel asking if he is dead and Daniel responds: β€œMy God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Dan. 6:22)

Bible of Pietro Cavallini – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Civ. A. 72 – Civica e A. Ursino Recupero (Catania, Italy)
Single Page

Bible of Pietro Cavallini

Tree of Jesse

Flanked by two neatly written columns of text, the genealogy of Jesus Christ through his mother Mary is visually traced all that way back to Jesse, the father of King David, who is depicted in repose resting his haloed head in his hand at the root of the tree that grows from his side. The smaller figures are Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.

Each figure is depicted in a golden medallion with red or pink leaves that contrast nicely with the cool blue background. The coat of arms at the bottom of the page flanked by two lions likely belonged to the patron of the manuscript, Cardinal Landolfo Brancaccio. Two figures on either side appear to have climbed up the marginal dΓ©cor and reach out for golden coins.

Bible of Pietro Cavallini – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Civ. A. 72 – Civica e A. Ursino Recupero (Catania, Italy)
Facsimile Editions

#1 La Grande Bibbia di Pietro Cavallini

Publisher: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2018
Limited Edition: 699 copies
Commentary: 1 volume by Alessandro Tomei, Enzo Bianco, Carlo Ossola, Rita A. Carbonaro, Gianluca M. Millesoli, and Massimo Bray
Language: Italian
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€
(7,000€ - 10,000€)
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