Offiziolo Alfonsino

In the year 1505, Alfonso I d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, Regio, and Modena, commissioned an illuminated manuscript that is considered today to be the last truly exceptional creation by the book artists of Ferrara. The Offiziolo Alfonsino is one of the greatest masterpieces among the manuscripts of the Middle Ages and is unbelievably richly decorated. The work comprises 199 pages, the first 12 pages of which exhibit an elaborately decorated calendar. 29 pages are completely illustrated, 10 pages exhibit small miniatures and all of the texts are embellished with golden initials.

Coveted Book Art of the Renaissance

Duke Alfonso I d’Este reigned from June 15, 1505 to October 31, 1534 and proved himself to be a significant statesman and general during a period of political instability. He was equally considered to be one of the greatest patrons of the Renaissance. The greatest Renaissance artists were employed at his court. Among others, he commissioned a picture cycle from Titian, wherefore he constructed a gallery in his study. Along with the Bible of Borso d’Este and the Breviary of Ercole d’Este, his book of hours forms a trilogy of the finest illumination art and was one of the most beautiful books in the Library of Modena until 1859. At a time still unknown, 14 full-page miniature were removed from the splendid work and arose in the library of the Croatian Bishop Strossmayer ca. 1884. These pages are found today in the holdings of the Strossmayer Gallery in Zagreb. The main part of the valuable manuscript is found today in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.

Masterful Book Adornment

The Italian illuminator Matteo da Milano is responsible for the dreamlike illustrations of the book of hours. The unbelievably talented painter already designed the Breviary of Ercole d’Este as well as the Book of Hours of Bonaparte Ghislieri. His characteristic style distinguishes itself through exciting, innovative bordure painting and through the combination of various stylistic influences. In his art, he allowed himself to be equally inspired by classical painting from antiquity as well as Flemish and northern European characteristics. In the Book of Hours of Alfonso d’Este, the master presents his abilities in a breathtaking manner. The prayers of the religious book are initiated by historiated initials and lavishly decorated frames. The backgrounds, shimmering in gold or black with a gold pattern, are embellished with pearls, costly gemstones, flowers, fruits, and beasts. A few pages exhibit fantastical and grotesque creatures.