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History of the Destruction of Troy

History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)

France — End of the 14th century

The mastery of the Quattrocento in French book illumination: Guido de Columnis' famous work on the fall of Troy, magnificently illuminated with particularly large-format miniatures by two exceptionally talented masters

  1. The popular historical work by Guido de Columnis (born ca 1165) in a grandiose 14th century French manuscript

  2. It is clearly influenced by the Italian Quattrocento and yet rooted within the tradition of French illumination

  3. Catherine the Great (1729–1796) was interested in buying it, but the powerful Stroganov family acquired it instead

History of the Destruction of Troy

Lat.F.v.IV.5 National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
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Description
History of the Destruction of Troy

The popular historical work by Guido de Columnis (around 1210 - around 1287) in a superbly illuminated 14th century French manuscript: this magnificent copy of the History of the Destruction of Troy, whose provenance is linked to great names in modern Russian history, is kept in the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg under the shelfmark Lat.F.v.IV.5. Two French miniaturists created the manuscript's impressive book decoration towards the end of the 14th century, which consists of 35 vibrantly colored miniatures – one miniature for each chapter. They are clearly influenced by the pioneering Italian art of the Quattrocento and yet also represent the tradition of the outstanding French book illumination of the time. Both the miniatures and the 35 wonderful decorated initials are lavishly adorned with golden details and make the important literary work of Guido de Columnis shine.

History of the Destruction of Troy

Waring hosts in luminous blue armor people the miniatures. Kings and protagonists are in bright colors, the people are represented as elegant gothic figures with elongated bodies, and there are decorative backgrounds with medieval peasants before a colorful raster. Gorgeous initials and exuberant bordures of fine foliage additionally characterize the elegant overall impression of the manuscript. Clearly oriented stylistically on the Italian art of the Quattrocento, the paintings are nonetheless rooted firmly in the tradition of the outstanding French illumination of that period. Two anonymous miniaturists took part in the furnishing of the manuscript. The battle scenes display an impressive variety of gestures and movements and so they are an expression of the great mastery of these artists!

The History of Troy According to Guido de Columnis

Manuscript Lat.F.v.IV.5 of the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg contains a total of 35 miniatures on 302 pages. These illustrate the famous text by Guido de Columnis about the destruction of Troy. Columnis composed his magnum opus in elegant Latin between 1270 and 1287 and organized it into 35 chapters. The text was adopted from Benoît de Sainte-Maure and enriched with his own ideas. Therefore, it contained moralizing notes, inter alia, to help Christians understand the story. At the time of its creation – the late 14th century – the St. Petersburg codex was extremely popular across all of Europe.

Desired by the Tsarina

Several famous names are bound-up with the St. Petersburg manuscript. The history of the codex up until the 18th century remains a mystery. It then first appeared in the possession of Jean-Louis Gaignant, a French book dealer. Catherine the Great was interested in buying Gaignant’s entire collection. However, the Trojan codex was acquired at the same time by the powerful Stroganov family. The treasured book finally reached the Russian National Library in 1889, where it is stored like a true gem today.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Historia de la destrucción de Troya
Geschichte von der Zerstörung Trojas
Le Roman de Troie, de Benoit de Sainte-Maure
Size / Format
302 pages / 28.8 × 22.2 cm
Origin
France
Date
End of the 14th century
Style
Gothic
Language
Latin
Script
Bastard Secretary
Illustrations
35 miniatures with elaborately patterned backgrounds, 38 decorated initials with gold leaf and extensive floral curlicues
Content
Latin prose narrative of the Trojan legend
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Jean-Louis Gaignant
Stroganov family
Available facsimile editions:
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
#1 Historia de la destrucción de Troya
Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2016
Limited Edition: 299 copies
Detail Picture

History of the Destruction of Troy

The Trojan Horse

Painted mainly in beautiful shades of blue, this nocturnal scene shows what is probably one of the most famous parts of the legend of the Trojan War: while the besieged are lulled to safety, the soldiers quietly and secretly climb out of the large wooden horse in whose hollow interior they had hidden. They immediately attack the guard posts on the fortifications from inside the city. The fate of Troy and its inhabitants is now sealed.

History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Single Page

History of the Destruction of Troy

Guido de Columnis as Compiler

The first page of the manuscript shows a large, gold-decorated picture of the author, which introduces the reader to the work. It honors the author and also illustrates the lengthy process of creating the literary bestseller: Guido de Columnis is sitting on a typical scholar's chair, which is connected to a writing and reading desk. This is multi-leveled and thus offers a lot of shelf space for various books, the contents of which the author is apparently collating.

The method of compiling - the reading and selective merging of many existing texts - becomes tangible here. It was the standard method of literary creation throughout the Middle Ages and was highly regarded, as older writings were often accorded greater authority. Guido de Columnis also proceeded in this way, whereby he primarily based his work on Benoît de Sainte-Maure, but will also have read numerous other textual accounts of the Trojan legends.

History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Historia de la destrucción de Troya

Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2016
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)
History of the Destruction of Troy – Orbis Mediaevalis – Lat.F.v.IV.5 – National Library of Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Orbis Mediaevalis – Madrid, 2016
Limited Edition: 299 copies
Binding: Bound in leather embossed in gold In a protective case with the commentary volume
Commentary: 1 volume by José M. Salvador González and Natalia Elaguina
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
Inquire current price here or ask a different question
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