GIRALDI, Guglielmo

The picture shows the frontispiece to Purgatory from Federigo Montefeltre’s personal hand-written and illuminated copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy. The manuscript was written by Matteo de’ Congugi of Volterra, it was left incomplete at the Duke’s death in 1482.

The main scene, showing Dante and his guide Vergil meeting with Cato, is fframed within a pilastered niche which is itself enclosed within columns on high pedestals. The three small scenes are Dante Bathing his Hands in the Dew of the Meadow; Vergil Wiping Away the Tears from his Face; and Vergil and Dante on the Shore with the Mountain of Purgatory. The Duke’s arms and other symbols and mottos play a major role in the decorative scheme; note especially the angled arms held by an eagle above the large illustration.

This copy of the Divine Comedy was executed for Federico da Montefeltro. The first part (up to folio 72) was illuminated by Guglielmo Giraldi from Ferrara. The following parts were made by three other illuminators, Alessandro Leoni, Giraldi’s nephew, Franco de’ Russi, and another, unidentified contemporary illuminator. From folio 171 on, the miniatures were completed by an anonymous sixteenth-century artist.

The miniature on folio 25, shown here, illustrates Canto X of Hell. We see Dante and Farinata before a sarcophagus in which are Cavalcanti and a further unidentified figure.

This manuscript contains the Eclogues, Georgics and Aeneid by Virgil. It is carefully decorated with white vine scrolling, enriched with fruit, and inhabited by birds and deer. This decoration suggests a Florentine origin and a date c. 1440.

The only full-page miniature on folio 45v, shown here, was added by Guglielmo Giraldi in c. 1480. It is set within a large architectural frame, on the pediment of which is written verse 289 of the second book of the Aeneid. Aeneas is shown carrying his father Anchises on his shoulders and leading his son Ascanius by the hand as they make their way toward the boats, leaving Troy in flames.

Above the portico framing the scene, two winged putti support the Garter of England set with pearls and precious stones and with the motto “hony soyt qui mal y pense’, within which an eagle supports the coat of arms of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino.

This detail of the miniature on folio 45v shows the Garter of England set with pearls and precious stones and with the motto “hony soyt qui mal y pense’, within which an eagle supports the coat of arms of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino.