The Art of Illuminated Manuscripts in Padova from the Middle Ages to the 18th century

From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, Padova was an important centre of book production, where not only the written word could be transmitted but also, at very high levels of style and philosophical thought, images of the contents and significance of illustrated religious manuscripts.

The most important orders for these works came from the Cathedral, the many large Benedictine monasteries, the convents of the begging orders, particularly that of the Basilica of St. Anthony, the University, and other civil institutions. This flourishing period also stimulated many cultivated people to make collections of printed works, with the result that many large public and private libraries were formed in Padova. They contained richly illustrated works, executed both in Padova and elsewhere.

The aim of the exhibition is to display the extraordinary richness of the artistic culture and civilization of Padova as revealed in illustrated manuscripts and early printed books.

Among the masterpieces of the early Middle Ages which, thanks to this exhibition, can be presented to the public (in some cases, reuniting texts which had been dismembered centuries ago and shared among several institutions all over the world), are the Evangeliario of the Cathedral (1170), the Epistolario by Giovanni da Gaibana (1259), the Gothic choir-books of the Cathedral of Padova and the Basilica of St. Anthony - all the main treasures of the miniaturist's art which flourished around the court of the Carrara family, with books belonging to Francesco I (now in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris) and those of Francesco II (shared among several international libraries).

Of particular interest in the exhibition is the section devoted to texts in the vernacular, prepared by Prof. Furio Brugnolo, with some absolutely exceptional specimens, such as sophisticated Provençal song-books, and the famous Erbario Carrarese, now in the British Library.

In the 15th century, after Padova had passed under Venetian dominion, many large new libraries came into being, of which one was that organized by Abbot Barbo, reformer of the Benedictine order, for the Abbey of St. Justine, and another that of Bishop Donato, to which belongs the famous Evangeliario of 1436, now in New York.

As well as the monastic libraries (the widely scattered works of which have now mainly been retraced), there are also the collections of Zeno and Barozzi, rich mainly in incunabula, illustrated in exemplary fashion by master artiste such as Giovanni Vendramin and Antonio Maria da Villafora.

The personality of Benedetto Bordon emerges in the illustrations of incunabula (splendid examples are those of the German financier Peter Ugelheimer). Traced in libraries and collections throughout Europe, Bordon's works are amply documented in the exhibition.

The art of illustrated manuscripts in Padova found imitators of excellent quality until the end of the 18th century.

On display are illustrations to manuscripts in the registers of the University, liturgical books, the latest choir-books of the Basilica of St. Anthony and the Abbey of St. Justine, and also some of the conventual documents (now in the State Archives) which had to be prepared when novices wishing to become nuns took their vows.

Exhibition sites:

• PAINTED WORDS. The Art of Illuminated manuscripts in Padova from the Middle Ages to the 18th Century, Padova, Palazzo della Ragione, 21 March - 27 June 1999.
• PAINTED WORDS. The Art of Illuminated manuscripts in Padova from the Middle Ages to the 18th Century, Padova, Palazzo del Monte, 21 March - 27 June 1999.
• The Illustrated Bible of Padova, Rovigo, Accademia dei Concordi, 21 March - 27 June 1999.
• The Pen of God: Illustrated manuscripts celebrating the Gospel, Praglia, Benedictine Abbey, 17 April - 17 July 1999.

The exhibition is extended at 25 July (the press release is not translated) in the Monte di Pietà, Padova