Rosary Psalter of Joanna of Castile
Queen Joanna I of Castile (1479-1555) was probably one of the most powerful and pious women of her time, even though her life ended tragically. She had this wonderful little but no less artful booklet made for her by one of the greatest masters of 16th century Flemish book illumination: Simon Bening (around 1483-1561.) It comprises the prayers to the then 15 mysteries of the rosary - unusually written in the Spanish language instead of Latin. The 40 pages of this royal gem are all lovingly illuminated and adequately embellished with sumptuous gold decoration. 16 full-page miniatures, which are among the highlights of Simon Bening's art, visualize the mysteria of the rosary, the meditative contemplation of which the codex was intended for. Grandiose compositions combine impressive depictions of figures with wonderful landscapes and almost illusionistic pictorial spaces. In its entirety, the royal book treasure still captivates its viewers today.
Rosary Psalter of Joanna of Castile
The great master of 16th century Flemish manuscript art, Simon Bening, finished for the royal patron Joanna I of Castile this wonderful, 1525 treasure of art. Throughout the 40 pages, the prayers and 15 Mysteries of the Rosary β extraordinarily in Spanish β are collected together with their adjoining miniatures. They belong to the greatest productions, which were produced in the 16th century. Grandiose hymns unite with impressive figures and depictions, with wonderful landscapes and perspective areas. In its totality, the Rosary of Joan the Mad will be sure to excite todayβs collector.
The Destiny of the Patron
The patron of this private book treasure was the Catholic Queen, Joanna I (1479β1555), who carried with her the byname the Mad. Her tragic and impressive life fascinates even to this day. As the Queen of Castile, Joanna governed an enormous empire, that spanned from Naples/Sicily, all of Spain, and the heretofore discovered territory of the New World (South and Central America). She was married to Philipp the Fair from Austria, with which they had their son Emperor Maximilian I. Through this marriage, the Kingdoms of Austria and Spain were connected into a powerful Habsburg-Empire. Joannaβs name is also connected with many important figures of her time. Her brother Don Juan married Philippsβs sister, Margaret of Austria, and Joannaβs son would rule a global empire as Emperor Charles V. Her byname was received due to her hot temperament and her jealousy, which would leave the Queen with neuropathy. Her life concluded after more than 40 years of imprisonment in the castle of Tordesillas in Valladolid.
The Great Miniaturist of his Time
As the artist of the miniatures and the design of the Rosary Book β suitable indeed for a Queen β the great miniaturist of his time was commissioned. In Bruges, a center of manuscript art, Simon Bening (1483β1561) was known as the most successful and most famous miniaturist of the 16th century and as one of the most important representatives of his trade. Beningβs customers were among the most important patrons. Especially famous is his Book of Hours for the Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, or his works for Emperor Charles V. The undisputed master of 16th century European manuscript art primarily made valuable books of hours, but also genealogical trees, e.g., the family tree of the royal houses of Portugal and Spain.
The Impressive Miniatures
The Rosary Book for Joanna the Mad contains 16 whole page miniatures, which are divided between two different collections in Cambridge and Boston today. They are each surrounded by a narrow frame with decorative elements, which imitate a gilded picture frame. An especially ostensible miniature of the highest quality depicts the impressive three-dimensionality of the hymns. Either before architectural or landscape backgrounds, each scene is varied by the depth of the room like a panel painting. Also depicted in light colors are the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary with adjoining biblical scenes: the Annunciation to the Crown of Thorns, Castigation and Bearing of the Cross, up to the Resurrection. The scene of Maryβs Visitation is an example of the wonderful depictions laid in a fantastic landscape with delicate flowers and a massive, Flemish-looking building next to water with a wonderful blue sky in the background. Aside from the miniature pages, the text pages are artistically designed. Bright borders with generally natural depictions of plants, small animals, and insects surround the Spanish prayers. Light red strawberries, delicate blue violets, birds, butterflies, and grasshoppers populate the edges in grandiose style, and numerous initials adorn the text. All visual representations are richly gilded and lend the royal Rosary its noble aura.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Rosario de Juana La Loca
Rosenkranz Johannas der Wahnsinnigen
Rosary of Joan the Mad - Size / Format
- 40 pages / 11.0 Γ 9.0 cm
- Origin
- Belgium
- Date
- Ca. 1521
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 16Β full-page miniatures, in addition to numerous initials illuminated in goldΒ by Bening
- Content
- The prayers and 15 Mysteries of the Rosary
- Patron
- Queen Joanna I of Castile (1479β1555), "Joan the Mad"
- Artist / School
- Simon Bening (ca. 1483β1561)
Rosary Psalter of Joanna of Castile
Avian Marginalia
The text of this page is so neatly written that one would believe that it was printed, and the mastery of the scribe is almost equal to that of the artist, the great Simon Bening, who at the very least designed the marginalia on this page for an apprentice if he did not complete it himself. Aside from the crane and other happy birds in the branches of this glimmering golden frame, there is a murder scene: an owl, one of the most advanced birds of prey, ripping open the throat of another bird.
Rosary Psalter of Joanna of Castile
Ascent to Golgotha
βAnd He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the βPlace of a Skullβ, which is called in Hebrew, Golgothaβ (John 19:17). The agonizing and humiliating journey of Christ to the hill where he is to be crucified is presented here in a splendid miniature by the famous master Simon Bening. It is a perfectly balanced composition characterized by bright colors and gold brush strokes.
Christβs oppressors are depicted in the dress of either 16th century mercenaries or Turks, likely a reflection of contemporary anxieties about the Turkish menace to Europe. The Virgin Mary, in a blue cloak and gold halo, is weeping openly, while Mary Magdalene holds up an image of Christ, possibly the Shroud of Turin. Christ appears bloody but resigned to his destiny.
#1 Rosario de Juana La Loca
Languages: Spanish, English, German
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