IL LIBRO D'ORE DURAZZO

De Marchi, Andrea

Published by Franco Cosimo Panini, Modena, 2008

About this Item

8vo. velvet binding with precious stones and gilded silver, clamshell case. 201, 336 pages. Facsimile with accompanying hardcover commentary. One of 980 numbered and signed copies, of which this is additionally stamped on the colophon 'Exhibition Copy'. The Libro d'Ore Durazzo, which takes its name from its last owner, is a small masterpiece by the painter and illuminator, Francesco Marmitta. This remarkable work is in two ways quite different from all other devotional codices for private use. One is the use of purple parchment. The other is chrysography, or writing in letters of gold, the work of the master calligrapher, Pietro Antonio Sallando, who taught at the University of Bologna. The illumination work of a goldsmith and jeweller: The illumination work is by the painter from Parma, Francesco Marmitta (circa 1462/1466-1505), also a renowned jeweller and inlayer, and the creator of other splendid works such as the stunning Missal of Domenico della Rovere, belonging to the museum of the municipality of Turin (Museo Civico di Torino). The leafs of these masterpieces reflect the artist's sensitivity and delicacy, his marked interest in landscapes, and his taste for jewellery, medals and cameos, illustrated with extraordinary skill. Embellishment of the highest order: Marmittas references to the revived classic tradition indicate a meditative approach. This aspect comes to the fore in his use of purple and of gold lettering, and is also underscored by his use of motifs such as trophies, medallions, cameos and bucrania. However, as a painter, the approach adopted for the Calendar and Offices of the Virgin reveals his awareness of the latest tendencies reflected in the culture of the figurative arts in Bologna, and a special interest in the work of Amico Aspertini. The refinement of the binding: The work's lavishly elegant binding dates back to the time of the codex itself, and the love of embellishments is as evident here as in the illuminations. The binding features wrought and embossed silver, in part gilded, on crimson velvet. It also features a splendid profusion of classical motifs (acanthus and palmette motifs, ears of wheat, grapes, vases, masks, scarabs, and bucrania). The silver clasps are adorned with two small rubies. Patronage: A number of stylistic clues seem to indicate that the Libro d'Ore Durazzo was commissioned by a patron from Parma. We may also note Parmigianinos well-known Portrait of a Collector (London, National Gallery), in which the collector holds in his hand precisely this codex. It is believed that the codex accompanied Francesco Marmittas second son, Jacopo, to Portugal. However, in the nineteenth century it was in Genoa. Firstly, it was in the hands of the merchant, Antonio Bacigalupo, who inherited it from his father, Francesco, and then in the hands of the Marquis Marcello Luigi Durazzo, a collector who, having purchased it from Bacigalupos widow, then bequeathed it to the Biblioteca Berio. The Commentary: The work is accompanied by a book with commentary, edited by Andrea De Marchi, with writings by Beatrice Bentivoglio-Ravasio, Andrea De Marchi, Davide Gasparotto, Laura Malfatto, Laura Nuvoloni and Federica Toniolo. Facsimile is present with the accompanying commentary and a clamshell case. velvet binding with precious stones and gilded silver, clamshell case. Seller Inventory # 105363

Bibliographic Details

Title: IL LIBRO D'ORE DURAZZO

Publisher: Franco Cosimo Panini, Modena

Publication Date: 2008

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Illuminated Manuscripts