This splendid Lectionary was a commission received by Giulio Clovio from Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589), the grandson of Pope Paul III Farnese (who ordained Alessandro as cardinal at the age of fourteen). In the early 1540’s, Clovio entered the service of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, considered by historians the most important patron and connoisseur of the arts of mid-sixteenth century Rome. Clovio served the cardinal for the rest of his life, and bequeathed his fine collection of codices and artworks to his protector. 
In 1589, in accordance with the cardinal’s last will and testament, the Farnese Lectionary passed into the hands of the Sacred College of Cardinals for use in the Sistine Chapel, where it finds mention in the eighteenth-century inventories.

Historical notes on the codex
Following the death of Alessandro Farnese, the Lectionary painted by Giulio Clovio served for hundreds of years as one of the Missals of the Popes and leading princes of the Church, used during the solemnities held at the Sistine Chapel.  
The codex found favour not only because of its extraordinary beauty but also because of its splendid binding (a fine tribute to the art of the jeweller). The binding, unfortunately, disappeared during the pillage of 1798 following the occupation of Rome by Napoleon, who sent many of the Sistine Chapel’s liturgical books to France.
The codex then entered the antiquarian market and was purchased by the English collector, Sir John Towneley. The work changed hands a number of times and, in 1895, became part of the collection of the New York Public Library.