Item Info
Folio Number: front
Original Year/Month/Day: 1523
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: A dogale (pl. dogali) is a document issued by a doge, the title for the highest elected official in several Italian republics. The Doge of Venice was one of the most powerful among them. Dogali were used to transfer power to certain individuals, granting them various rights, responsibilities, and privileges. Although secular documents, the iconography of illuminated dogali was usually religious in nature to suggest the approval of divine authority. In this miniature, Bartholomeo Zorsi, identified here by his coat of arms below, kneels before the Virgin and Christ-child, who extends a hand in blessing toward the governor. St. Bartholomew, his protector saint, appears off to the side with his flayed skin thrown over his shoulder. Above is the lion of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice.
The illumination of this leaf and several others in the Free Library's collection (Lewis E M 47:5,6,9, 11, and 75:9) was executed in the workshop of a Venetian illuminator active from the 1520s to the 1570s. Known as the "Master T.o Ve," he is so-called after a note on another dogale leaf illuminated by his hand now in the Cini Foundation in Venice.
Notes:
Leaf from a Dogale issued by Doge Andrea Gritti (1523-1528) to Bartholomeo Georgio as governor of Monfalcone
Sirsi Catalog Key:
1603527
Country:
Country:Italy
City/Town/Township:Venice
Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin):
1525
Image Dimensions Width:
209 mm
ShelfMark:
Lewis E M 47:5
Creator Name:
Master T.o Ve - Artist
front
reverse