Cesena, two beautiful 15th century codices on display at the Malatesta Library

For the entire months of July and August, the Biblioteca Malatestiana in Cesena is exhibiting two splendid 15th-century codices, both made for Malatesta Novello (Domenico Malatesta; Brescia, 1418 - Cesena, 1465), who was lord of the Romagna city and founder of the Library, which today is theonly perfectly preserved humanistic monastic library. These are the collection of Sermons of Leo the Great, written by Jean d’Epinal and illuminated by the Master of the Butterfly (made between 1441 and 1460) and anOpera varia of St. Augustine, attributed to John of Mainz and also illuminated by the Master of the Butterfly.

These are two codices “a bianchi girari,” with white vines on a colored background, variously intertwining to form the marginal frieze of the paper. Since in both can be seen the miniature of the butterfly, a symbol of the soul breaking free from brute matter, the attribution to the Master of the Butterfly, an anonymous 15th-century illuminator, has been formulated. In this context, the butterfly may represent the human mind freeing itself from ’ignorance through reading. But it has also been speculated that it may depict Violante, wife of Malatesta Novello, or a wish to her for fertility.

The two codices are on display in the atrium of the Malatesta Library: access is reserved for visitors to the ancient Malatestiana, and until July 31 admission is free (reservations required). More information on the Malatesta Library website.

Cesena, two beautiful 15th century codices on display at the Malatesta Library

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