Venice’s Oldest Illustration: A 14th-Century Masterpiece
Discovery of the Manuscript
In the heart of the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Florence lies a hidden treasure: the Libro d’Oltramare, a 14th-century manuscript containing the oldest known illustration of Venice. This remarkable discovery has captivated scholars and art historians alike, shedding new light on the depiction of the iconic Italian city during the Renaissance period.
Friar Niccolò da Poggibonsi’s Travelogue
The manuscript is a travelogue penned by Friar Niccolò da Poggibonsi, a Franciscan friar who embarked on a pilgrimage from Venice to Jerusalem and Egypt in 1346. Along his journey, he meticulously recorded his observations in gesso tablets, capturing the essence of the holy sites he visited. Upon his return to Venice in 1350, he compiled his firsthand account, now housed within the Libro d’Oltramare.
The Venice Illustration
Among the manuscript’s pages, a detailed illustration of Venice stands out as a testament to the city’s allure. Created by an unknown artist, the drawing depicts the city’s characteristic buildings, canals, and gondolas. Its discovery has pushed back the known timeline of Venetian illustrations, excluding maps, which date to 1330.
Renaissance Venice
Sandra Toffolo, a scholar of Renaissance Venetian history at the University of St. Andrews, highlights the significance of this discovery. “The illustration demonstrates the profound fascination that Venice held for contemporaries, even at such an early period,” she explains.
Friar Niccolò’s Detailed Observations
Friar Niccolò’s travelogue is notable not only for its illustration but also for its meticulous observations. He carefully measured landmarks in the Holy Land, using paces or the length of his arm as units of measurement. These observations, recorded daily in his tablets, provide valuable insights into the architectural and geographical details of the time.
Additional Illustrations
Beyond the Venice drawing, the manuscript contains other captivating illustrations. Friar Niccolò depicted elephants and architecture in Cairo, as well as the Dome of the Rock and the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. His unique approach of describing the journey in the vernacular, rather than relying on classic Latin descriptions, offers a fresh perspective on the pilgrimage experience.
Circulation and Reproduction
Small pinpricks visible on the manuscript’s pages suggest that it was widely circulated during the Renaissance period. Copyists employed a technique called pouncing, sifting powder over pinpricked paper to transfer the outlines of images to new pages. This process indicates the popularity and influence of Friar Niccolò’s work.
Later Translations and Editions
Despite its widespread circulation, Friar Niccolò’s text only gained broader recognition after being translated and reprinted under different names. In the 15th century, a German translation attributed the pilgrimage to Gabriel Muffel, a Nuremburg patrician’s son. In 1518, an anonymous account titled “Viaggio da Venetia al Sancto Sepolchro et al Monte Sinai” (Voyage From Venice to the Holy Sepulcher and to Mount Sinai) was published in Venice. Over the next three centuries, numerous editions followed, solidifying the work’s popularity as a Holy Land guidebook.
Niccolò’s Legacy
Despite the fame of his travelogue, little is known about Friar Niccolò’s life. However, a clever safeguard hidden within the manuscript reveals his authorship. The first letters of each chapter spell out an acrostic that identifies him as the author. This ingenious device suggests that Niccolò possessed not only a keen eye for detail but also a playful wit.
Historical Significance
The discovery of the 14th-century illustration of Venice has significant historical implications. It offers a glimpse into the early artistic representations of the city, highlighting its enduring appeal. Friar Niccolò’s travelogue, with its detailed observations and unique perspective, provides a valuable resource for understanding the Holy Land during the Renaissance period. This remarkable manuscript continues to inspire scholars and captivate readers, offering a testament to the power of human creativity and the enduring allure of Venice.
