Divine Comedy - Frankfurt Manuscript

The magnum opus by Dante Alighieri (ca. 1265–1321) is a cornerstone of Italian literary history
Jacopo della Lana (ca. 1290 – ca. 1365) wrote one of the first and most highly acclaimed commentaries on the Divine Comedy around 1323–28
This copy was probably splendidly illuminated by Niccolò da Bologna (ca. 1325 – ca. 1403)

Divine Comedy - Frankfurt Manuscript

MS Ausst. 33 (olim lat. qu. 57) University Library Johann Christian Senckenberg (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Description

Divine Comedy - Frankfurt Manuscript

The Frankfurt Manuscript of the Divine Comedy is one of the oldest surviving illuminated copies of the famous magnum opus by the great Dante Alighieri (c. 1265–1321). In 100 cantos (canti), the author takes the reader on a spiritual and philosophical journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, which has gone down in literary history. In this Trecento manuscript from northeastern Italy, the work is accompanied by the extensive theological commentary of Jacopo della Lana (c. 1290 – c. 1365). However, it is particularly aesthetically appealing due to its exquisite, high-quality illumination, which is attributed to none other than Niccolò da Bologna (c. 1325 – c. 1403). He was one of the most important and successful Trecento artists in northern Italy and ran a thriving workshop in Bologna. He may be responsible for the gold-decorated bas-de-page miniatures and wonderful historiated initials, which illuminate the verses together with ornate borders and artistic ornamental initials.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Dante Alighieri - Göttliche Komödie MS lat. qu. 57
La Commedia col commento di Jacopo della Lana dal Codice francofortese arci-β
Divine Comedy MS lat. qu. 57
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Size / Format: 444 pages / 35.0 × 24.0 cm
Origin: Italy
Date: After 1350
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Literature / Poetry
Language: Italian
Script: Gothic Cursiva
Illustrations: 7 historiated initials, 6 bas-de-page illuminations; ca. 200 decorated initials, numerous borders
Content: Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri with a commentary by Jacopo della Lana
Artist / School: Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) (author)
Niccolò da Bologna (ca. 1325 – ca. 1403) (illuminator?)
Previous Owners: Heinrich Mylius
Stadtbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek Frankfurt am Main

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 La Commedia col commento di Jacopo della Lana dal Codice francofortese arci-β

Reichsdruckerei – Frankfurt am Main, 1939

Publisher: Reichsdruckerei – Frankfurt am Main, 1939

Limited Edition: 500 copies

Binding: Half-linen

Commentary: 1 volume (16 pp.) by Friedrich Schmidt-Knatz
Languages: Italian, German

The facsimile and commentary are published in a single volume.

Facsimile Copy Available!

Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

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Divine Comedy - Frankfurt Manuscript