Bible of Borso d'Este, Renaissance illuminated manuscript at Palazzo dei Musei, Italy
The Bible of Borso d'Este is a two-volume illuminated manuscript on parchment housed in Palazzo dei Musei in Modena, Italy, created in the 15th century. Its pages contain more than 1,000 painted illustrations of biblical narratives set within ornate decorative frames that extend across the margins alongside carefully written text.
Created between 1455 and 1461, the manuscript was produced under the patronage of the Este family with Taddeo Crivelli heading the artistic team. The work later traveled to Vienna and Paris before returning to Italy, where it remains on view in Modena.
The decorative frames showcase heraldic symbols and animals that express the Este family's power and wealth, turning a religious work into a display of their importance. These ornamental choices show how Renaissance patrons used art to communicate their status.
The manuscript is displayed in Palazzo dei Musei, accessible to visitors interested in Renaissance art and religious works. Plan time for careful observation to appreciate the fine details and vivid painted illustrations on each page.
The pages include unexpected scenes of 15th-century daily life such as people playing music, dancing, and working in gardens, woven into the religious narratives. These everyday moments provide a rare look at how ordinary activities were integrated into a patron's personal devotional work.
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