Illuminated Roundels, C14th | Three roundels from the margins of a Choirbook on vellum illuminated by Niccolò di Giacomo da Bologna, Italy (Bologna), c.1365

Three circular miniatures from the margins of a Choirbook, 80 mm, 66 mm, and 57 mm in diameter, tempera and burnished gold on vellum, depicting half-length figures, with blank versos, Christ as Salvator Mundi, a grieving female saint, possibly the Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene due to facing left, typical for Crucifixion scenes, Saint Symon (of Trent?), dressed in a monks habit, holding a book, each roundel framed against velvet, c. 1365.

FINELY ILLUMINATED ROUNDELS BY NICCOLO DI GIACOMO DA BOLOGNA

These three beautiful roundels were created by Niccolò di Giacomo da Bologna one of the most famous and prolific illuminators of the region. His activity is documented between 1349 and 1403, during which he created a monopoly in secular and liturgical manuscript production in Bologna. The vast number of extant works signed by him are testament to his preeminent station as the head of a larger workshop and in 1380s he was appointed illuminator to the city. Due to his versatility, he was involved in the decoration of choirbooks for churches outside of Bologna as well as humanist texts for distinguished patrons affiliated with the university. Niccolò’s style is imbued by local miniature tradition and his visual language references the expressive and decorative works of the Master of 1346, who might have acted as his teacher. Niccolò’s adaptability and versatility as an artist as well as his fine use of colour for a greater narrative impact made his works sought-after in and outside of Bologna.

The tonsured figure below the inscription ‘Beatus Symon’ is dressed in a dark Augustinian habit typical for monks of that order. This figure has previously been identified as the Augustinian Simon of Cascia, an ascetic, preacher and prolific writer who among many other works, authored one of the first catechisms in the Italian language. His main work De Gestis Domini Salvatoris [The Works of our Saviour] was widely read during the Middle Ages and it is assumed that the German reformer, Martin Luther, was influenced by his ideas. 

Simon preached in Bologna, Siena, Perugia and Florence where he founded the convent Sant'Elisabetta delle Convertite and helped unmarried women and prostitutes. This context supports an identification of the female figure as Mary Magdalene, who was associated in the Middle Ages with the figure of the repentant prostitute. Based on this identification, the manuscript from which these roundels originate could have been commissioned for the church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Bologna. According to Gaudenz Freuler (cited in Zeileis’ 2004 catalogue), the fragments could also relate to the Augustinian church San Giacomo Maggiore in Bologna, for which Niccolò produced several Choirbooks which survive only as fragments.

The three roundels by Niccolò di Giacomo da Bologna provide an intriguing mystery and highlight the regional artistry and religious specifics of central Italy.

PROVENANCE

1. From the collection of Dr. F.G. Zeileis (Più ridon le carte: Buchmalerei aus Mittelalter und Renaissance, 2004, no.36).

2. Sotheby's London, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts Sale, 5 July 2016, lot 22.

3. Acquired by present owner from the above sale.

Literature

Medica, Massimo ed. Haec Sunt Statuta: Le corporazioni medievali nelle miniature bolognesi. Exhibition, Rocca medievale Boncompagni, 27 March-11 July. Catalogue, Modena. 1999, pp. 126-27.

Conti, Alessandro. La miniatura bolognese: Scuole e botteghe 1270-r340. Bologna. 1981, pp. 94-95.

Filippini, Francesco, and Guido Zucchini. Miniatori e pittori a Bologna: Documenti dei secoli XIII e XIV. Florence, 1947, pp. 175-81.