Munificentia Venetiarum

Pasquale Cicogna (1509–95) was the Doge of the Venetian Republic, Duke of Candia, and Rector of Cyprus
This manuscript documents the gift of a palazzo to Pope Sixtus V (1521–90) to be used as a residence by the Papal Nuncio
The gold seal of Doge Pasquale Cicogna is now part of the Vatican Library’s famous collection of seals

Munificentia Venetiarum

A.A., Arm. I-XVIII, 1302 Archivum Secretum Vaticanum (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)

Description

Munificentia Venetiarum

The Republic of Venice was one of the most splendid states in Renaissance Italy, commanding a massive fleet with a trade empire stretching spanning the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and beyond. It was also one of the most powerful Italian states with an often-strained relationship with the Papacy. As part of an effort to improve relations, a magnificent palazzo was gifted to Pope Sixtus V by the Doge, Pasquale Cicogna, as a residence for the Papal Nuncio in Venice. The beautifully adorned document at hand, written in gold ink and adorned with the Doge’s golden seal, testifies to this chapter in Italian political history.

Munificentia Venetiarum

Pasquale Cicogna (1509–95) was the Doge of the Venetian Republic, Duke of Candia, Rector of Cyprus, and a religious man who met success in both business and arms. The Munificentia Venetiarum or “Munificence of Venice” documents the gift of a palazzo to Pope Sixtus V (1521–90), which was formerly owned by the Gritti family and had been a residence of Doge Andrea Gritti (1455–1538). It was to be used as a Venetian residence by the Papal Nuncio, an ecclesiastical diplomat representing the Holy See. This donation is recorded in a sublime document written in gold ink and adorned with splendid marginalia. The document is affixed with the splendid gold seal of Doge Pasquale Cicogna, which was joined to the document with a red silk thread and is now part of the Vatican Library’s famous collection of gold seals from various kings, princes, and emperors across the centuries.

Codicology

Type: Manuscript on parchment
Origin: Italy
Date: 1586
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Renaissance
Genre: Chronicles / History / Law
Language: Latin
Content: Document of the donation of the Gritti Palace by Doge Cicogna to the Pope
Patron: Doge Pasquale Cicogna
Previous Owners: Pope Sixtus V

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Munificentia Venetiarum

Scrinium – Zurich, 2009

Publisher: Scrinium – Zurich, 2009

Limited Edition: 399 copies

Commentary: 1 volume
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.

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