Pontifical of Boniface IX

Pontifical of Boniface IX – ArtCodex – ms. vat. lat. 3747 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)

Papal scriptorium, Rome (Italy) β€” 1389–1404

Created for a Pope at war with the powerful Visconti: a golden treasure of Gothic book art for the reading of the Holy Mass and a spectacular highlight of the Vatican Library

  1. A breathtaking Gothic prayer book that was used during ceremonial masses for various church festivals

  2. The extensive use of gold reflects its origins as a commission of Pope Boniface IX (ca. 1350–1404) from ca. 1400

  3. The pontifical is a treasure of Late Gothic European book art and a highlight of the Vatican Library

Pontifical of Boniface IX

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€€
(over 10,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Pontifical of Boniface IX

This manuscript, the so-called Pontifical of Pope Boniface IX, originated from Italy at the end of the 14th century and is regarded as one of the most famous and sumptuous examples of this liturgical book genre. It provides the texts for the entire liturgy and other writings necessary for the performance of Masses, consecrations, coronations and other rituals by a bishop. As such, almost every page of this valuable manuscript is richly decorated. Eleven precious full-page miniatures and numerous refined and marginal illuminations ennobled with gold adorn this colorful and shimmering masterpiece of the Italian Gothic style. As the name of the opulent codex suggests, it was commissioned by Pope Boniface IX (ca. 1350–1404), who was fighting for the papal throne at the time of its creation. Today, the magnificent liturgical manuscript is housed in the Vatican Library and is one of its most prized treasures.

Pontifical of Boniface IX

Among the numerous illuminated manuscripts in the famous Vatican Library, some of the greatest masterpieces of medieval book art are to be found. One of these valuable works is the Pontifical of Pope Boniface IX. It is a breathtaking illustrated prayer book that was used in the Gothic period during ceremonial masses on various church festivals. The manuscript was commissioned at the end of the 14th century by Pope Boniface IX and contains numerous delightfully decorated initials and subtly patterned borders alongside eleven graceful, full-page miniatures.

What is a Pontifical?

A pontifical is a liturgical book with instructions and texts for festive, ritual Masses and celebrations of the Catholic Church, which would be performed or led by a bishop. Instructions for the performance of lower and higher consecrations and other ritual actions, which were to be implemented by the bishop were found in historical pontificals. For example, the rules of a pontifical were used for the consecration of deacons and priests, as well as the ceremonial of a coronation. Many historical pontificals are splendidly designed and represent antiquarian treasures today. The Pontifical of Boniface IX is a famous example of this.

Enchanting Book Illustration

Nearly every page of the valuable manuscript is charmingly illuminated. The codex contains eleven full-page miniatures that reflect the narrative joy of the anonymous illuminator in a fanciful manner. The vivid images in fresh colors show high spiritual and secular representatives of the church performing important church duties. The opulent application of gold leaf in the miniatures attests to the noble character of the work. Also, no expense was spared for the colorful and golden elements of the manifold decorative frames that adorn each page of the book. This pontifical is one of the most impressive examples of Late Gothic European book art.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Pontificale di Bonifacio IX
Pontifikale Papst Bonifazius IX.
Size / Format
88 pages / 31.0 Γ— 21.0 cm
Origin
Italy
Date
1389–1404
Style
Language
Script
Gothic Textura Rotunda
Illustrations
11 full-page miniatures; most of the pages are decorated with illuminated initials and refined frames
Content
Five texts and instructions for rituals and the prayers for papal functions
Patron
Pope Boniface IX (1389–1404)

Available facsimile editions:
Pontifical of Boniface IX – ArtCodex – ms. vat. lat. 3747 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)
ArtCodex – Modena, 2007
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Detail Picture

Pontifical of Boniface IX

Medallion and Marginalia

Found in the base of a large β€œI” initial, this medallion miniature shows a choir consisting of both clergy and laity assembled around a song book on a lectern. The colorful tendril spirals growing out of it contain a priest wearing a wide-brimmed hat, two musicians, two birds, a cherub, and three human faces. The incredible color palette and shimmering, mirror-like gold leaf are matched by the quality and intricacy of the design and the skill with which the artist executed it.

Pontifical of Boniface IX – ArtCodex – ms. vat. lat. 3747 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)
Single Page

Pontifical of Boniface IX

Benedictio coram populo

Although it has some serious competition, this is considered to be the most impressive miniature in this exceptionally richly adorned manuscript. It shows Boniface IX giving a benediction to a crowd of the faithful from a balcony in full papal vestments. Flanked by cardinals, the Pope is standing in a Gothic style architecture with pointed arches and embellished column capitals.

This miniature strongly resembles a fresco by Giotto found in the Church of St. John Lateran, which depicts a crowd being blessed during the first Jubilee in 1300. Since two Jubilees were promulgated during Boniface’s reign, this may well be the case here. The scene is surrounded by an incredible golden frame and supported by two angels holding coats of arms.

Pontifical of Boniface IX – ArtCodex – ms. vat. lat. 3747 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, State of the Vatican City)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Pontificale di Bonifacio IX

ArtCodex – Modena, 2007

Publisher: ArtCodex – Modena, 2007
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Binding: Leather with the gold engraved coat of arms of Pope Boniface IX. Comes In a box of precious wood.
Commentary: 1 volume (159 pages) by Ambrogio M. Prazzoni
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.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€€
(over 10,000€)
You might also be interested in:
Missal of Barbara of Brandenburg – Il Bulino, edizioni d'arte – Archivio Storico Diocesano di Mantova (Mantua, Italy)
Missal of Barbara of Brandenburg
Mantua (Italy) – 1442–1465

Illuminated by no less than Belbello da Pavia and Rogier van der Weyden: a magnificent, large-format manuscript with 70 luminous miniatures for the Renaissance princess Barbara of Brandenburg

Experience More
Vaticinia Pontificum, sive Prophetiae Abbatis Joachini – AyN Ediciones – A.2848 – Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio (Bologna, Italy)
Vaticinia Pontificum, sive Prophetiae Abbatis Joachini
Basel (Switzerland) – First half of the 15th century

Prophetic prophecies about the popes of two centuries: Joachim of Fiore's divinations about the life and work of various church leaders in 46 portraits that are as beautiful as they are fantastical

Experience More
Harley Vaticinia de Pontificibus – Patrimonio Ediciones – Ms. Harley 1340 – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Harley Vaticinia de Pontificibus
Florence (Italy) – 1431 – ca. 1447

A masterpiece of the Tuscan Quattrocento and a source of inspiration for the great Nostradamus: 30 mysterious and impressively illuminated prophecies about the fate of the papacy

Experience More
Epistolary of Frederick the Wise – Edition Leipzig – Ms. EL. F. 2 – Thuringer Universitats- und Landesbibliothek (Jena, Germany)
Epistolary of Frederick the Wise
Nuremberg (Germany) – 1507–1509

For a sovereign and patron of the arts during the German Renaissance: a large-format prayer book for the Elector of Saxony with a magnificent miniature based on a woodcut by Albrecht DΓΌrer

Experience More
Pontifical Gundekarianum – Reichert Verlag – Codex B 4 – DiΓΆzesanarchiv EichstΓ€tt (EichstΓ€tt, Germany)
Pontifical Gundekarianum
Eichstatt (Germany) – 1071-1697

Continuously used in EichstΓ€tt for over 600 years: a pontifical with an illustrated register of the bishops of EichstΓ€tt demonstrates the evolution of the art of illumination from the Romanesque to the Renaissance

Experience More
Vatican Pontifical and Benedictional – Belser Verlag – Vat. lat. 3748 – Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Vatican City, Vatican City State)
Vatican Pontifical and Benedictional
Paris (France) – Ca. 1480–90

A magnificent gift from the King of France to the Bishop of Rouen: one of the most extensively illuminated manuscripts of the Late Middle Ages with 35 miniatures, hundreds of decorated initials, and eleborate borders

Experience More
Blog articles worth reading
Filter selection
Publisher