03 — ARTWORK
Bible of Borso d'Este
- MEDIUM
- Manuscript (Ms. VG 12 lat. 422-23), 375 x 265 mm
- TYPE
- Religious
PALETTE
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THIS REPRODUCTION
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CURRENT LOCATION · Biblioteca Estense
- FILE
- 700 × 1004 px · JPEG
COMMENTARY
UNDERLINED TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE GLOSSARY.
Bible of Borso d'Este 1455-61 Manuscriptcollective term for books or other documents written by hand; in a specific sense, the hand-written medieval book, the Codex manuscriptus, often ornamented with decorative borders, illuminated initials and miniatures, and containing works of ancient philosophy or scholarly, ecclesiastical, and literary texts. Manuscripts were usually produced on commission. At first the scriptoria (writing rooms) of monasteries transcribed the contents of famous manuscripts and made copies. Monastic communities in the Netherlands and northern Germany began producing manuscripts around 1383/84. Flanders, Burgundy, and in particular Paris became major centres for the mass production of breviaries (prayer books) and Books of Hours. (Ms. VG 12 lat. 422-23), 375 x 265 mm Biblioteca Estense, Modena
This deluxe illuminated Bible was commissioned by Borso d'Este (1413-1471), Duke of Ferrara, from Taddeo Crivelli who worked with his assistant Franco de' Russi. The Bible was produced in two large volumes at two different rates of remuneration, the higher one reserved for the opening pages of each book of the Bible.
This picture shows the opening page of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. It is clearly marked on a fluttering orange ribbon in the centre of the upper border and in red lettering in the left columna vertical structural member having a circular cross-section and usually consisting of a base, a long shaft, and a capital.. An enormous floriated initialthe first letter of the text in medieval manuscripts and early printed books, made to stand out emphatically by its colour, size, and ornamentation. begins the text itself, surrounded in the border by equally brilliant, nearly enamelled flowers laid on a ground of fine gold filigree. Teardrop-shaped openings reveal heraldic imagery; a deer and leopard in the upper corners reclining on woven baskets of green grass recall much prior courtly imagery. Lavender cornucopias and a golden vase improbably but splendidly tie the border to an equally fantastic but more illusionistic landscape and pavilionA lightly constructed, ornamental building, such as a garden summerhouse; a small, ornamental structure built onto a palace or cháteau; a prominent section of a monumental façade, projecting either centrally or at both ends. below.
OTHER WORKS BY TADDEO CRIVELLI
The archive catalogues no further works by this artist.
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@online{wga-r749cfd83d37644,
author = {Krén, Emil and Marx, Daniel},
title = {Bible of Borso d'Este by CRIVELLI, Taddeo},
organization = {{Web Gallery of Art}},
date = {2026-09-13},
url = {https://beta.wga.hu/artists/crivelli-taddeo-r34002a731d18da/bible-of-borso-deste-r749cfd83d37644},
urldate = {2026-09-13},
langid = {english}
}ACCESSED 2026-09-13. REPLACE THE AUTHOR FIELD WITH THE COMMENTARY AUTHOR WHERE ONE IS NAMED.