Renaissance Masterpiece Borso D’Este Bible Unveiled for Rare Exhibition in Rome

One of the Renaissance’s Greatest Illuminated Bibles Goes on Rare Public Display in Italy

ROME — One of the most remarkable treasures of the Italian Renaissance — the Borso D’Este Bible, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript celebrated for its exquisite artistry and craftsmanship — has gone on public display in Rome for the first time in years. The unveiling marks part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations, drawing art lovers, historians, and religious scholars from across the world.

The two-volume masterpiece, adorned with gold and lapis lazuli details, was officially presented Thursday inside the Italian Senate, where it will remain on view until January 16. The event was broadcast live as the rare volumes arrived under tight security, enclosed in two red crates and carefully unpacked by specialists wearing gloves.

A Jewel of Renaissance Artistry

Created between 1455 and 1461, the Borso D’Este Bible stands as a monumental collaboration between calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illustrators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi. The Italian Culture Ministry hails it as one of the finest examples of Renaissance miniature art — a unique fusion of sacred devotion, historical significance, and masterful design.

Ordinarily housed under lock and key at the Gallerie Estensi in Modena, the Bible is rarely displayed to the public due to its fragility and immense cultural value. During its Roman exhibition, the manuscript will remain sealed behind protective glass, but visitors can explore every page digitally through ultra-high-resolution touchscreen displays, allowing them to experience its intricate illuminations and script without direct contact.

“The Mona Lisa of Illuminated Manuscripts”

Alessandra Necci, director of the Gallerie Estensi, described the Borso D’Este Bible as “the Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts,” highlighting both its artistic brilliance and spiritual depth. “It unites sacred meaning, historic importance, precious materials, and refined beauty,” she said during the presentation.

A Source of Spiritual and Artistic Inspiration

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who oversees the Vatican’s Jubilee Year celebrations, expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire visitors to reconnect with the Bible in their own lives. “The splendor of this manuscript is a provocation,” he said, “one that invites contemplation not only of its beauty but of the divine word contained within it.”

A Noble Legacy and Remarkable Journey

Commissioned by Duke Borso D’Este of Ferrara, the lavish manuscript was originally part of the Este family’s private collection. It remained with the dynasty for centuries until Francesco V of Austria-Este, the last duke, fled to Vienna in 1859 during political upheaval and took the Bible with him.

According to the Italian Senate’s historical record, the manuscript stayed with the Habsburg family even after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I. In 1922, after the death of Archduke Charles I, his widow Zita of Bourbon-Parma decided to sell the Bible to a Parisian antiquarian.

The following year, Italian entrepreneur and philanthropist Giovanni Treccani — best known as the founder of Italy’s renowned Treccani Encyclopaedia — learned of the sale. Determined to return the national treasure to Italy, he personally traveled to Paris and purchased the manuscript for 3.3 million French francs in 1923, before donating it to the Italian state.

A Rare Glimpse Into Italy’s Renaissance Splendor

Art historians regard the Borso D’Este Bible as a turning point in Renaissance illumination, distinguished by its harmonious color palette, precise lettering, and rich narrative imagery. The combination of gold leaf and Afghan lapis lazuli pigments exemplifies the luxury and devotion of 15th-century Italian art.

For visitors in Rome, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness a cornerstone of Italy’s artistic heritage — a luminous artifact bridging faith, history, and creative genius.