The Manuscript

The Lezionario Farnese (Farnese Lectionary) was produced in Rome by Giulio Clovio for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese shortly after 1550. This is a key work, and it represents a triumph of the art of illumination, which reached its golden age during the Renaissance thanks to the patronage offered by the leading Houses of Europe.
This work is noteworthy for its monumental proportions and extraordinary wealth of adornments.

An illuminator of the first order
With its impressive adornments, the Lezionario Farnese represents a major step in the career of the painter and illuminator of Croatian origin, Giulio Clovio, one of the most renowned artists of his time. Clovio was also praised by Giorgio Vasari in his Lives of the Artists.

Splendid illustrations
The size of this codex – which is quite unusual (37.8 x 53.6 cm with binding) – meant Clovio and his colleagues could give full rein to their talents in the field of colour and composition in the full-page and margin adornments, which display on the part of the illuminators perfect mastery of the skills required for the creation of light, shade and chiaroscuro effects.

 

Il Manoscritto
Il Manoscritto


Le miniature
Le miniature


Particolare del manoscritto
Particolare del manoscritto