Grimani Breviary
Ghent and Bruges (Belgium) — 1510–1520
Probably the most extensive highlight of Flemish book art: beautiful illuminations comprising impressive miniatures and fantastical borders on almost every one of the fabulous 1,664 pages, created by the most important masters of the time.
The famous Grimani Breviary is considered to be one of the most outstanding testimonials to early 16th century Flemish book illumination. Created around 1510–1520 in Bruges and Ghent, numerous leading illuminators were involved in its creation, including great masters such as Gerard David (around 1460–1523), Simon Bening (around 1483–1561) and Gerard Horenbout (1465–1541). The 1,664 pages of the precious breviary are thoroughly illuminated: in addition to 80 elaborate full-page miniatures and wonderful calendar pages, each of which is a work of art on its own, charmingly arranged borders of flowers, fruit, tendrils, insects, small animals and filigree architecture adorn the liturgical texts. The eponym for this opulent Renaissance masterpiece is the Venetian cardinal, Doge’s son and renowned art collector Domenico Grimani (1461–1523), who acquired it in 1520 and whose portrait was immortalized in a gilded bronze medallion on the original velvet binding.
A wonderful calendar is considered to be one of the greatest treasures in the Grimani Breviary: the splendor of the manuscript finds expression in the full-page miniatures with the typical depictions of the course of the agricultural year. For example, there is an especially beautiful scene of winter, which simultaneously depicts an interior space and the events outside under the night’s sky. Yet this is only one of countless grandiose miniatures adorning the manuscript. 120 full-page and numerous smaller miniatures illustrate Christian scenes above all. This exceptional visual experience is brilliantly rounded out by the exuberant decoration of the ornamental and figurative marginal decorations with flowers, animals, fruits, and architectural motifs.
A Highpoint of Flemish Illumination
The Grimani Breviary is considered to be an outstanding specimen of Flemish illumination during the Renaissance because of its exceptionally high-quality and lavish book adornment, a highpoint in the history of illumination! Originating ca. 1510–20 in Flanders, numerous artists with famous names contributed to its genesis, including Gerard Horenbout, Simon and Alexander Bening, Gerard David, and the so-called Master of the David Scenes in the Grimani Breviary.
Miniature Painting at the Highest Level
The manuscript’s namesake, Cardinal Domenico Grimani (1461–1523), acquired the codex ca. 1520 and bequeathed it to the Republic of Venice. Thus, the Grimani Breviary belonged to the San Marco treasury until 1781 and is housed today in the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice. A splendid binding with dark-red velvet and gilded bronze ornaments makes the connection to Cardinal Domenico Grimani clear. A portrait of him is recorded on the front cover and a portrait of Doge Giovanni Grimani, his father, is found on the back. In this way, the exterior also fits the outstanding position of the Grimani Breviary as one of the most complex and interesting, beautiful and valuable Flemish manuscripts of the 16th century!
Codicology
Alternative Titles
Breviarium Grimani
Breviario Grimani
Size / Format
1,664 pages / 27.5 × 19.5 cm
Origin
Belgium
Date
1510–1520
Epochs
Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style
Renaissance
Genre
Private Devotion Books
Liturgical Manuscripts
Language
Latin
Script
Gothic Textura
Illustrations
80 full-page miniatures; 1550 quarter-pages illuminations depicting vegetation, animals, insects and architecture, but also figural scenes; numerous decorated initials
Content
Calendar, Proprium de tempore, Psalter, Offices not related to the church year, Proprium sanctorum
Artist / School
Gerard Horenbout
Simon Bening
Alexander Bening (the Master of the First Prayer Book of Maximilian)
Gerard David
Master of the David Scenes in the Grimani Breviary
Previous Owners
Cardinal Domenico Grimani
Giovanni Grimani
Doge Pascale Cocogna
