Dono d'Amore

A precious and extraordinary wedding present: the book of hours belonging to Niccola di Andrea di Niccola Capponi and his wife Antonia di Battista di Luigi Ridolfi. The names of two significant Florentine families are associated with this gem of illumination. Furthermore, as an exquisite masterpiece by the famous Monte di Giovanni del Fora, it is also and especially enchanting due to its artful furnishings: light and airy miniatures, marvelous initials and lavish tendril bordures completely in the style of the Italian Renaissance!

A Sumptuously Furnished Treasure

Measuring an unbelievable 6.6 x 5 cm, this precious manuscript is one of the smallest books of hours to survive to today. Nevertheless, its contents possess surprisingly lavish illumination. The 464 pages of the manuscript are embellished all over with grandiose painting. Miniatures of biblical tales, with scenes from the childhood of Jesus and the life of the Virgin Mary from the Annunciation and birth up to the events of the Passion illustrating the pages of the manuscript. Additionally, one finds wonderful initials and broad, ornamental bordures with stylized leafy tendrils on the pages of this gem of illumination.

Evidence of the Capponi-Ridolfi Union

This atmospheric and colorful illumination is the work of the greatest master illuminator in Florence at that time: Monte di Giovanni del Fora. Monte di Giovanni made this masterpiece of Florentine illumination in the last quarter of the 15th century at the behest of two significant Florentine families of the cinquecento: Capponi and Ridolfi. The reason for it was the marriage of Niccola di Andrea di Niccola Capponi and Antonia di Battista di Luigi Ridolfi in the year 1500. As evidence of this union, the precious miniature book of hours is also known as the Libro d’ore Capponi-Ridolfi. With its richness and elegance, it transmits the splendor of the late 15th century to today!