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Farnese Lectionary

Farnese Lectionary Facsimile Edition

Rome (Italy) — 1550–1560

The Bible in monumental images commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese: the magnificent Lectionary created by Giulio Clovio for use in the Sistine Chapel

  1. Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520–89) commissioned a magnificent lectionary for ceremonial use in the Sistine Chapel

  2. The ostentatious work was created by Giulio Clovio (1498–1578), the most talented miniaturist of the Italian Renaissance

  3. Monumental biblical scenes are surrounded by luminous golden frames with cherubs, masks, and flowers

Farnese Lectionary

Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) Public Library (New York, USA)
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
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Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
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Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
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Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
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Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
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  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
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  4. Facsimile Editions (2)
Description
Farnese Lectionary

The Farnese Lectionary was created between 1550 and 1560 in Rome for the influential Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and magnificently illuminated by the famous illuminator Giulio Clovio. Clovio was already compared to Michelangelo during his lifetime and is considered one of the most important book artists of the late Italian Renaissance. Accordingly, the exuberant decoration of the Lectionary, with its monumental paintings of biblical scenes, is one of the most magnificent liturgical manuscripts ever. This made it more than worthy of being used by numerous popes and other church princes for the solemn ceremonies in the Sistine Chapel, for which it was commissioned by Farnese. Today, this amazing masterpiece of late book illumination is kept in the Public Library in New York.

Farnese Lectionary

Sometime around the middle of the 16th century, an unusually monumental, opulently furnished manuscript was produced in Rome. It was a richly adorned lectionary that was commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and designed by the famous book master Giulio Clovio. The liturgical manuscript remained in the Sistine Chapel for centuries and was employed by popes and other princes of the church in ritual church ceremonies. It is embellished with full-page, painting-like miniatures and boundlessly fanciful decorative elements.

A Milestone of Liturgical Manuscripts

A lectionary is a liturgical book that contains the biblical readings in the course of the church year for the performance of divine services. This type of book existed since the end of the 15th century. Numerous, beautifully designed, handwritten lectionaries were manufactured in the Middle Ages. Almost no other can compete with the breathtaking pictorial decoration of the Farnese Lectionary. Cardinal Farnese commissioned an incomprehensibly ostentatious work that was intended for reading in the Sistine Chapel. Famous people received the holy mass from this very manuscript, which found itself for a time in the possession of the English noble family of Towneley. Today, the valuable original edition of the manuscript is housed in the New York Public Library.

Masterworks of a Famous Artist

The high-quality illustrated manuscript represents one of the greatest masterpieces of the book artist Giulio Clovio. The Croatian painter Clovio is considered to be one of the most famous illuminators of the Late Renaissance and as one of the last great masters of the illuminated manuscript. His astounding, whole-page miniatures in the Farnese Lectionary show monumental biblical scenes and are surrounded by luminous golden frames animated with cherubs, masks, and flowers. The pictures are distinctly reminiscent of the painting of the great Renaissance masters, in particular Michelangelo and Raphael. Giorgio Vasari, probably the first and most important art historian, described Clovio in his Vite as a small Michelangelo.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Lezionario Farnese
Towneley Lectionary
Farnese-Lektionar
Size / Format
64 pages / 48.7 × 33.8 cm
Origin
Italy
Date
1550–1560
Language
Latin
Script
Littera antiqua rotunda
Illustrations
6 majestic full-page miniatures, framed by masterfully executed decorative borders, as well as smaller portraits of evangelists, also framed with figurative motifs
Patron
Alessandro Cardinal Farnese (1520–1589)
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Towneley family
Available facsimile editions:
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
#1 Lezionario Farnese (Silver Binding)
Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Limited Edition: 100 copies
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
#2 Lezionario Farnese (Vermeil Binding)
Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Limited Edition: 450 copies
Detail Picture

Farnese Lectionary

The Sermon on the Mount

Chapters 5-7 in the Book of Matthew are devoted to the Sermon on the Mount, the longest continuous discourse of Jesus found in the New Testament that contains some of his best-known teachings. It is also the first of the Five Discourses of Matthew and Giulio Clovio has masterfully captured a moment of dialogue as Jesus gestures while making a point to the assembled crowd, many of whom look directly out from the page as though they were trying to gauge our reactions to the words of Jesus.

Lezionario Farnese (Silver Binding)
Single Page

Farnese Lectionary

The Last Judgement

Although it mostly follows the usual composition for this favorite theme of Christian art, Giulio Clovio displays his talent in this masterful and highly detailed miniature that could easily be confused with a panel painting. The dense and gorgeously colored scene is presented in an artful golden frame containing cherubs and contemplative human figures.

Christ is enthroned in clouds and surrounded by angelic hosts as the saints and the rest of the faithful look up in awe. At the bottom of the page, the damned are shown crying out in despair or writhing in agony, some holding their heads in their hands while others make futile attempts to comfort one another. They are mostly naked, stripped of their pride and earthly possessions.

Lezionario Farnese (Silver Binding)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Lezionario Farnese (Silver Binding)

Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Limited Edition: 100 copies
Binding: Red velvet with real silver ferrules, clasp strip, and coat of arms.
Commentary: 1 volume by Jonathan J. G. Alexander, Nicholas Barker, Elena M. Calvillo, Clive Wainwright, and Sir Simon Towneley
Language: Italian
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) 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.
Price Category: €€€€€ (over 10,000€)
Edition available
Price: Log in here!
Order / Ask a Question

#2 Lezionario Farnese (Vermeil Binding)

Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition
Farnese Lectionary – Ms. MA 91 (Towneley Lectionary) – Public Library (New York, USA) Facsimile Edition

Publisher: Franco Cosimo Panini Editore – Modena, 2008
Limited Edition: 450 copies
Binding: Red velvet with Vermeil ferrules, clasp strip, and coat of arms.
Commentary: 1 volume by Jonathan J. G. Alexander, Nicholas Barker, Elena M. Calvillo, Clive Wainwright, and Sir Simon Towneley
Language: Italian
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) 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.
Price Category: €€€€ (7,000€ - 10,000€)
Edition available
Price: Login here!
Order / Ask a Question
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