Gospels

The decoration of this codex consists of borders of white interlace with finely decorated medallions and full-page miniatures set in architectural frames. The full-page miniature on folio 175 is an elegant example of the Ferrarese school; it was begun by Guglielmo Giraldi and completed by Franco de’ Russi. The miniature shows St John seated writing on the side of a rugged mountain with a castle at the summit. On the sea in the background to the right are ships and there are buildings in the distance on the left. In the sky are the seven candelabra which appeared to the prophet of Patmos. The scene is set in an ornate frame with candlesticks in the left and right margins; these are united by festoons in the upper margin, on either side of which is written ‘FE DUX’, identifying the owner of the manuscript, Federico da Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino.