The Gospel Book of Grand Duke Ferdinand III
A facsimile of an illuminated masterpiece from the early 16th century, blending devotion, gold, and dynastic splendor
The Gospel Book of Grand Duke Ferdinand III is one of the most fascinating examples of early 16th-century European book culture. Created at the Benedictine Abbey of Würzburg, illuminated in 1507 by the monk George Lester, and later brought to Florence, the manuscript is now housed at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, under the call number Codice Acquisti e Doni 156. This is a work of rare prestige, in which liturgical significance is combined with figurative magnificence and the symbolic power of the collecting tradition. In this facsimile, the manuscript is brought to life with extraordinary material and visual fidelity, restoring to the contemporary collector the beauty, visual impact, and historical significance of the original.5 strengths
1. A manuscript of profound historical and spiritual significance It is not merely an illuminated manuscript, but a work created for liturgical use, designed to accompany the Gospel message with the radiance of its images and the solemnity of its materials. 2. Miniatures attributed to George Lester In 1507, the manuscript was embellished with 30 miniatures attributed to the Benedictine monk George Lester, transforming it into an object of contemplation as well as of reading. 3. Distinguished origins and ties to Florence After the dissolution of the Abbey of Würzburg, the codex came into the possession of Ferdinand III and was donated to the Laurentian Library on May 11, 1823, becoming part of Florence’s great tradition of book collecting. 4. A facsimile of exceptional material quality This edition features fine art printing, gold leaf, hand-treated parchment paper, handcrafted binding, hand-sewing, mounting on antique paper, and a velvet cover with gold embroidery. 5. A collector’s item, not just a book Like every great Antiquus facsimile, this volume is a true, page-turning work of art: a complete and faithful reproduction that captures the proportions, three-dimensionality, surfaces, and presence of the original. Prezzo su richiestaWant more information about this product? Click here and fill out the form to be contacted by one of our curators.
- Description
Description
What’s included in this edition
- The complete facsimile of Grand Duke Ferdinand III’s Gospel Book
- The commentary on the work
- The certificate of authenticity with the item number
- The 60-month warranty certificate
- A concise 10-point guide to navigating the work
- An in-depth analysis focusing on the context, content, and historical significance
- Access to dedicated multimedia content
- The personalized olive tree adoption certificate in Salento
Details of the work
- Title: The Gospel Book of Grand Duke Ferdinand III
- Date of the manuscript: early 16th century
- Date of the miniatures: 1507
- Illustrator: George Lester
- Place of origin: Benedictine Abbey of Würzburg
- Current location: Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence
- Call number: Purchases and Gifts Code 156
- Dimensions: 33.5 × 23.5 cm
- Cards: 66
- Features of the facsimile: fine art printing, gold leaf, hand-treated parchment paper, hand-sewn, handcrafted binding, mounted on antique paper, leather cover with gold foil stamping
- Set: box set and commentary
Descrizione dell’opera
The Gospel Book of Grand Duke Ferdinand III is an extraordinary illuminated manuscript from the early 16th century, created in the Benedictine monastery of Würzburg and embellished in 1507 with a refined series of miniatures attributed to George Lester.
It is a liturgical manuscript of exceptional charm, in which the solemnity of the Gospel text is combined with the richness of the decorative elements, resulting in a work that is at once a testament of faith, a masterpiece of book art, and a visual marvel.
Its pages reflect a lofty conception of the manuscript: not merely a medium for sacred text, but an object intended for contemplation, celebration, and wonder.
The use of gold, the quality of the miniatures, and the overall harmony of the composition make this Gospel book one of the most striking examples of Renaissance miniature art from the German-speaking world.
The manuscript eventually came into the possession of Grand Duke Ferdinand III, after whom it is named, and is now housed at the Laurentian Library in Florence. Its history—spanning a monastery, a royal court, and a library—enhances its cultural and symbolic value.
In this facsimile edition, the work comes to life with rare intensity, offering collectors not only the contents of the manuscript but also its aesthetic appeal, its evocative power, and its historical significance.
Why buy it?
When you purchase the Gospel Book of Grand Duke Ferdinand III, you are choosing a work that combines three qualities rarely found in a single object: spirituality, illuminated art, and collector’s prestige.
Its Benedictine origins, its connection to Ferdinand III, and its preservation at the Laurentian Library endow it with an aura that transcends mere aesthetic value.
This facsimile is designed for those who wish to add a work of distinctive character to their library—one that engages with the history of the book, Christian tradition, and a taste for the rare.
It also makes a striking visual statement: the embroidered velvet blanket, the gold accents, and its impressive size make it a piece that is not merely meant to be stored away, but rather one that decorates a space, tells a story, and sparks conversation.
FAQ – Questions and Answers About Grand Duke Ferdinand III’s Gospel Book
It is a precious illuminated manuscript from the early 16th century, created at the Benedictine Abbey of Würzburg and now housed at the Laurentian Library in Florence.
The original is housed at the Laurentian Library, under the call number Codice Acquisti e Doni 156.
In 1507, the manuscript was embellished with 30 miniatures attributed to the Benedictine monk George Lester.
Il codice appartiene ai primi anni del XVI secolo.
No. It is a complete and faithful facsimile, created to recreate the appearance, texture, and presence of the original. It is not merely a reprint, but a work of fine craftsmanship.
It is distinguished by the quality of its miniatures, the richness of its decorative elements, and the exquisite craftsmanship of the facsimile: gold leaf, hand-treated parchment paper, handcrafted binding, hand-sewn pages, and a velvet cover with gold embroidery.
The facsimile measures 33.5 × 23.5 cm and consists of 66 pages.
Because the manuscript ended up in Florence in the hands of Grand Duke Ferdinand III, who donated it to the Laurentian Library in 1823.
For collectors, scholars, miniature enthusiasts, lovers of liturgical manuscripts, and anyone seeking a work of great aesthetic and cultural value.
Thanks to the combination of its historical origins, the quality of the illumination, the excellence of the reproduction, and the limited print run—elements that make it a work destined to be cherished and passed down through the generations.
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