Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – 55.K.10 – Biblioteca dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana (Rome, Italy)

Florence (Italy) β€” Second half of the 15th century

Grandiose art to embellish grandiose art: an accurately and filigree illuminated masterpiece of Renaissance illumination in honor of the most famous poem of the great Francesco Petrarch

  1. The poem by Francesco Petrarca (1304–74) on the triumphs of good and beauty was one of the most popular Renaissance works

  2. It is presented in a 15th century manuscript by Francesco d’Antonio del Chierico (1433–84) and Zanobi Strozzi (1412–68)

  3. Thus, the manuscript represents a highpoint of both Renaissance literature and illumination!

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex

Francesco Petrarch's (1304–1374) Trionfi are among the most popular literary works of the Renaissance. In it, the great poet of the early Italian Renaissance sings of the triumph of Love, Chastity and Glory, the triumph of Time, the triumph of Death over Time and the triumph of Eternity, and thus sets forth his humanistic worldview entirely in the spirit of his time. In this precious manuscript from the second half of the 15th century, the famous miniaturist Francesco d'Antonio del Chierico, with the help of Zanobi Strozzi, embellished this great work of Italian literature and culture with beautiful pictorial decoration. Six wonderful full-page miniatures depict allegories of the Triumphs and are complemented by opulent borders and elaborate decorated initials. Finally, the lavish but subtle use of gold throughout the codex makes this copy of the Trionfi a secular luxury manuscript.

Petrarca: Trionfi

Known as the Roman Trionfi Codex, this manuscript is stored in the Biblioteca dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana in Rome. Originating from Florence during the second half of the 15th century, it both mirrors the spirit of humanism in the Italian Renaissance and offers an inside glimpse into the exuberant art of Italian illumination at that time.Francesco d’Antonio del Chierico (1433–1484), one of the greatest Florentine miniaturists of the 15th century, is responsible for this book decoration.

A Miniaturist of Princes and Monarchs

Del Chierico was employed by the Medici and Federico de Montefeltro inter alia, he also worked for famous patrons outside of Italy. He produced the decoration, consisting of six miniatures, wonderful frames, and decorative initials, probably with the help of Zanobi Strozzi. Bright flowers and exuberant ornamentation in true Renaissance style adorn the 120 pages of the manuscript, which are additionally furnished with precious gold, and thus presenting itself as a true luxury manuscript.

The Triumph Good and Beauty

The six full-page primary miniatures concerning the triumphs of time, love, chastity, glory, eternity, and over death illustrate the Italian text of the Trionfi by Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374). This work by the great poet and humanist of the early Renaissance stands firmly in the tradition of the time and was also popular and widely disseminated in the following centuries. The allegorical poem with six chapters concerning the triumph of good and beauty originated from the years 1350–74. Alongside generally moralizing sections, strongly autobiographical references are found in this text.

Doubly Significant

The manuscript at hand thus simultaneously combines two highpoints on its pages: a famous literary work by one of the most significant representatives of 14th century Italian literature and a testimonial to the grandiose art of a significant 15th century Florentine miniaturist!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Triunfos de Petrarca
Il Trionfi di Francesco Petrarca
Petrarch's Triumphs
Les Triomphes de Petrarque
Petrarca: Triumphe
Size / Format
120 pages / 22.8 Γ— 13.7 cm
Origin
Italy
Date
Second half of the 15th century
Language
Script
Humanistic minuscule
Illustrations
6 full-page miniatures, borders, gold initials and one inhabited initial
Content
a series of allegorical poems
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – 55.K.10 – Biblioteca dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana (Rome, Italy)
Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2006
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Detail Picture

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex

Triumph of Death

In most illuminated copies of the Trionfi, all allegories are depicted on triumphal chariots – even though Petrarch only describes one in the case of the Triumph of Love. In this wonderful manuscript, however, the allegory of Death appears as a flying skeleton with bat-like wings whose tips appear razor-sharp – as does the oversized scythe with which Death is armed. The gruesome figure stands out particularly well against the rich blue of the sky in the background.

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – 55.K.10 – Biblioteca dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana (Rome, Italy)
Single Page

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex

Triumph of Love

This colorful miniature illustrating the first of the six Trionfi shows the allegory of love as a naked, blindfolded Cupid with bow and arrow, as described by Petrarch. He balances on a ball of fire protruding from a golden goblet, which in turn stands on a magnificent triumphal chariot pulled by four white, stately steeds.

The allegory of love is accompanied by all his conquests, who form an entire procession. Among them are illustrious historical, literary and mythological figures as well as ancient and medieval poets and troubadours. According to the text, the grassy path, which must be thought beyond the boundaries of the picture, finally leads the procession to the island of Cyprus, where Venus is said to have been born.

Petrarca: Trionfi - Rome Codex – Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – 55.K.10 – Biblioteca dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei e Corsiniana (Rome, Italy)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Petrarca: Trionfi

Publisher: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana - Treccani – Rome, 2006
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Binding: Leather
Commentary: 1 volume (200 pages)
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). All folios are cut according to the original. The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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