Item Info

Script: Humanistic cursive
Language: Latin
Folio Number: f. 1r
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Opening folio
Notes: This folio begins a collection of letters written by the ancient Roman orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), known today simply as Cicero. Although Cicero was known throughout the Middle Ages, his writings became especially popular in the Renaissance with the Italian humanists who sought to revive Classical learning and literature.

The ideals of the humanists were also reflected in the design of their manuscripts. The elegant white vine-scroll illumination in the borders and the relatively clear script that resembles modern handwriting (as compared to examples of Gothic bookhand) were favored by Renaissance patrons because they believed these styles to represent Classical forms. In truth, scribes and illuminators were copying from manuscripts produced in the ninth and tenth centuries during the earlier Classical revival of the Carolingian period.
Sirsi Catalog Key: 1547291
Country: Country:Italy
City/Town/Township:Ferrara

Creation Year (Range End): 1475
Image Dimensions Width: 257 mm
ShelfMark: Lewis E 66
Creator Name: Cicero - Author
Gregorium de Martinellis de Buccassolo - Scribe