Naples – Original Locations

Most likely written and illuminated in Naples. Belonged to S. Gerolamo di Quarto sulla Riviera, founded by Alfonso of Jaén as an Augustinian monastery outside Genoa in 1382, but after his death in 1389 given to the Olivetans, a branch within the Benedictines. The manuscript itself might have been gifted to the monastery by Alfonso of Jaén.

Common origin with the manuscript Palermo, Biblioteca Nazionale, IV G 2 (signum P in Undhagen (ed) 1978): similar miniatures (see Lattanzi 1955; 1965, pp. 62–64 & Nordenfalk 1961, pp. 373 f., 378 ff.), which indicate an artist from Naples. The manuscript Warszawa, Biblioteka Narodowa, 3310 (Tb) probably also has the same provenance.

"It seems reasonable to suppose that a magnificent manuscript like Y was prepared for someone in a high position. There is reason to believe that it was one of the transcripts made during the canonization process at the end of the 1370's." (Undhagen (ed.) 1978 (Rev. I), p. 162.)'

The Warsaw manuscript is likely the oldest preserved manuscript of the Revelations. It has its origins in Naples, copied in 1379. It is closely related to (and maybe slightly earlier than) New York, Pierpont Morgan Library, M. 498, late 14th century (Y) and also related to Palermo, Biblioteca Nazionale, IV G 2, late 14th century (P).

The manuscript was probably produced for Matheus of Kraków, who was part of the examining commission for the canonization of Birgitta (see the discussion in Aili & Svanlund, I.23–27).