03 — ARTWORK
Missal of Borso d'Este
- MEDIUM
- Manuscript (Ms. Lat. 239)
- TYPE
- Religious
PALETTE
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- FILE
- 900 × 1241 px · JPEG
COMMENTARY
UNDERLINED TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE GLOSSARY.
Missal of Borso d'Este 1457 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. Lat. 239) Biblioteca Estense, Modena
This codex is one of the most interesting examples of Ferrarese illuminationThe decoration of manuscripts, one of the most common forms of medieval art; because of its monastic origins, usually of religious texts. The practice extends from heavy decorations of initial letters and inter-woven margin patterns (as in Celtic examples) to miniatures and and full-page illuminations, often of a formal and grandiose kind (as in Byzantine manuscripts). Rich colors are a common feature, in particular a luxirious use of gold and silver. Illuminations survived the advent of printing for some time and only died out with the rise of printed illustration in the 16 century. of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by Lionello d'Este in 1449, but completed eight years later in 1457 for his brother Borso. Formerly the decoration was attributed to Taddeo Crivelli, in reality it was executed by Giorgio d'Alemagna, one of the greatest Ferrarese illuminators of the fifteenth century, with the help of many assistants.
Three of the 314 leaves are illuminated with scenes and borders, and there are also 98 decorated initials, and 39 historiated initials.
The miniatureTerm originally applied to the art of manuscript illumination but later used of paintings, usually portraits, executed on a very small scale. The earliest miniaturists (16th century) continued to use the materials of the illuminators, painting in gouache on vellum or card. on folio 7 shows a rocky landscape out of which emerges a purple, church-like building. The side of the building consists of a porticoUsually open porch supported by columns or pillars on the main entrance side of a buildings. Frequently supports a pediment., under which David kneels, attacked by demons. To the left of the scene, a seated prophet is writing on a scroll. David is also represented in the historiated initialthe first letter of the text in medieval manuscripts and early printed books, made to stand out emphatically by its colour, size, and ornamentation. below.
CITE THIS RECORD — BIBTEX
@online{wga-r3e5b217afa12b3,
author = {Krén, Emil and Marx, Daniel},
title = {Missal of Borso d'Este by GIORGIO D'ALEMAGNA},
organization = {{Web Gallery of Art}},
date = {2026-09-13},
url = {https://beta.wga.hu/artists/giorgio-dalemagna-rf372d8fc23db26/missal-of-borso-deste-r3e5b217afa12b3},
urldate = {2026-09-13},
langid = {english}
}ACCESSED 2026-09-13. REPLACE THE AUTHOR FIELD WITH THE COMMENTARY AUTHOR WHERE ONE IS NAMED.
OTHER WORKS BY GIORGIO D'ALEMAGNA
The archive catalogues no further works by this artist.
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