Modena Hours

Modena Hours

Some of the most splendid masterpieces of illumination worldwide originate from Italy at the end of the 14th century. The greatest art studios of their time tended to be located in Milan particularly. During the reign of Gian Galeazzo Visconti (1380–1402) Milan enjoyed an economic and cultural flowering, which was precipitated by the pronounced bibliophilia and patronage of masterpieces of illumination by these princes. One of the most precious among these codices is the Master of Modena Hours. This manuscript is one of the most beautiful and elaborately designed manuscripts to ever be produced in Italy. It is comprised of 544 pages with 28 full-page miniatures, whereof 15 are encompassed by fine bordures of plant tendrils. Additionally, the manuscript is decorated by ca. 2,500 illuminated initials, most of which are richly furnished with gold leaf.

The Italian Dynasty

The Master of Modena Hours originated during the reign of Gian Galleazzo Visconti. Under Gian Galleazzo, the principality was led by a single man, who proved to be a strategically-thinking diplomat. Similarly, the wealthy ruler developed into a generous patron of the arts and sciences. The most famous painters, sculptors, musicians, and architects – in short, the supreme line-up of artists in Europe – were employed at the court of the Visconti. The Master of Modena Hours was commissioned by Balzarina de Pusterla. He was a scion of the House of Pusterla, one of the oldest patrician families in Venice. The Pusterlas stood in high favor with the House of Visconti.

A Prominent Art Studio

The codex is one of the greatest masterpieces of gothic illumination. The beautiful, dreamlike illustrations are attributed to the illuminator Tomasino da Vimercate, who worked at the Visconti court at the end of the 14th century. Vimercate was part of the staff in the workshop of the master Giovanni de Grassi. De Grassi was a prominent artistic personality at the Visconti court. He was a genius architect, sculptor, and painter and prepared the way for an autonomous painting style that transcended the standards of illustration. Above all, he is famous worldwide for his work as the master builder of the Milan Cathedral to this day. The genesis of the Master of Modena Hours in the workshop of de Grassi is discernible from its specific characteristics.

Unbelievable Illumination

The incomparable artistry of Tomasino da Vimercate, one of Giovannino de’ Grassi’s famous students, manifests itself for us in great detail. The miniaturist’s elegant lines, his delicate contours, as well as the intensely colorful and simultaneously filigree ornamentation of the picture frames and backgrounds are truly unique in the courtly art of the outgoing 14th century. So, one encounters luminous colors and precious decorative elements, a halfway-naturalistic style of depiction, and an astonishingly refined painting technique, as was typical for the miniature painting and decorative art of de’ Grassi’s prestigious workshop. The full-page miniatures are particularly heady in their design. Two of these miniatures illustrate the intercession prayer of St. George’s battle with the dragon, the model of the knighthood of saints, the soldiers of Christ, in textual frames. Not only are the golden nimbus and red St. George’s cross conspicuous, but the green dragon is as well, who – already mortally wounded – is turning back to his attacker in profile. This method of depiction is truly revolutionary and groundbreaking for that historical epoch.