Three magnificent d’Medici manuscripts exhibited in Firenze this autumn.
“Magnifici tre” is title of a spectacular exhibition in Firenze this autumn. On show are three manuscripts representing the absolute state of the art anno 1486-7.
The three manuscripts were ordered by Lorenzo de’ Medici, also known as Il Magnifico, as gifts to his three daughters, Luisa, Maddalena and Lucrezia. For the first time in five centuries the three manuscripts – two originals and one facsimile – will be exhibited along side each other at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana. All three manuscripts belong to the category “Book of Hours”. They were ordered in connection with their betrothals and marriages at the Florentine workshop of Antonio Sinibaldi. The extreme preciousness of the glittering gold, the semi-precious stones and the enamel – and the exceptional quality of the illuminated pages of these three books – turn them into veritable jewels and absolute masterpieces of Florentine Renaissance.
Apart from the three manuscripts more than sixty facsimiles and reproductions of illuminations will be shown. Not least the scenes from the calendars with picturesque illustrations of the activities of the different months of the year are sure to catch the attention.
The manuscripts belong to the collections of three separate libraries: Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich, and the Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, England. However in September and October 2012 they may for the first time since their creation be seen together. Definitely well worth a detour.
The Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Firenze is open from Monday to Saturday. The same ticket (€ 3.00) makes it possible to visit the famous vestibule and the reading room designed by Michelangelo.
The exhibition is organized and produced by Franco Cosimo Panini Editore, which recently published the facsimile edition of the Medical code-Rothschild.
Biblioteca Mediecea Laurenziana
A gallery of illuminations from the manuscripts may be seen here
A presentation of the facsimiles available at Franco Cosimo Panini