Rare,
lavishly-illustrated manuscripts from the Sistine Chapel that were
rescued from Napoleon's army, only to fall under the radar screen of art
history for two centuries, went on display in Dallas on Sunday.
The exhibit at Southern
Methodist University's Meadows Museum, which will run until April 23, is
the only chance for the U.S. public to see the stunning, hand-made
codices or manuscripts.
"The Lost
Manuscripts from the Sistine Chapel: An Epic Journey from Rome to
Toledo" features 40 codices that range in date from the 11th to the 18th
century.
"These were in the
Sacristy of the Sistine Chapel so these were the most private books read
by the popes and cardinals at very special ceremonies. There are some
codices here that Michelangelo would have heard or read from," said
Meadows director Mark Roglan.
"All
of them are one of a kind ... and done by hand. It is an art," he said
as he pointed to some of the precious books, encased in glass.
Aside
from their artistic value, the writings in the codices are liturgical
treasure troves which include blessings, missals and preparations for
masses.
Their journey to Dallas has been improbable.
They
were looted at the end of the 18th century from the Vatican by
Napoleon's rampaging armies and many were sliced and diced and sold in
fragments.
But the heroic efforts
of the Archbishop of Toledo enabled many of them to be rescued, though
over the years they were largely forgotten.
Their
"rediscovery" occurred in 1997 when art historian Elena De Laurentiis,
of the University of Genoa, stumbled upon a photograph of one of the
codices in an archive and recognized its significance.
"It
was a moment of great surprise," she said in a brief interview at the
Meadows Museum.
She is also one of the exhibit's curators.
The manuscripts are indeed eye-catching, with their elegant hand-written script, stunning images and beautiful bindings.
One
arresting and colorful illustration from the late 15th century in ink,
pigment and gold on vellum or mammal skin depicts the crucifixion, a
common motif.
Others are multifaceted with angels, decorative coats of arms and personal emblems.
SIC: Reuters/INT'L