Masterpieces of written and illustrated words: this phrase sums up the exhibit organized by Artelibro to celebrate the 11th edition of its Festival of Books and Art History. Held in Bologna, Italy from 18-21 September 2014, the collection of extraordinary artwork, on loan from libraries around Italy, centered on miniature art. The “crown jewel” of the display was La scrittura splendente (Shining Scriptures)–the famous Bible of Borso d’Este, which many art critics and historians say is the most beautiful book in the world.
The manuscript and its copious illustrations represents the peak of Renaissance miniature art. Each page of the book contains a miniature painted by one of the great artists of that period, making the work a stupendous gallery of biblical art unmatched by succeeding periods. Also on display was the so-called Marco Polo Bible, made in France (c. 1200 A.D.) and used by the Franciscan missionaries in their preaching ministry in China in the second half of the thirteenth century.