Manuscript volume, in the hand of an unidentified nun at the monastery of Scala Coeli in Genoa, containing copies of Italian translations from the Revelationes, Sermo Angelicus, and other texts from the Liber Caelestis of Saint Bridget. On the colophon, the scribe identifies herself as a professed nun of the Order of Saint Bridget, and states that the work was completed on July 26, 1626. The manuscript also includes circa 27 contemporary devotional engravings placed throughout the text, many with identifiable artists and publishers from Italy, France, the Netherlands, and elsewhere. The engravings depict Christian figures, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, the archangel Michael, and various saints; and scenes from the New Testament, including from the lives of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ
Description:
Bridget of Sweden (approximately 1303-1373) was a mystic and saint. She experienced visions beginning in childhood, the records of which were gathered and translated into Latin. They are collectively known as the Revelationes and Liber Caelestis., The Birgittine convent known as Scala Coeli was founded in Genoa, Italy, circa 1406. Nuns at the convent translated the writings of Saint Bridget into Italian., In Italian; colophon in Latin., Title from first leaf., Includes table of contents on six leaves at end., Colophon, leaf 317r., and Binding: Contemporary red leather over wooden boards; front and back covers have blind tooled rules and rolls, with a central figure of a female saint and the letters "M S B G" tooled in gold; spine with raised bands and a blind tooled flower in each compartment; front edge originally had two leather straps with brass clasps, and is now lacking one strap and clasp. Later (19th century?) paper spine label with manuscript inscription: "[illegible] S. Brigid. Cavate dei libri delle sue rivela[tion]. Opera di una monaca della ordine stisso[?] per comodite delle Sorelle 1626".
Subject (Geographic):
Italy., Italy, and Sweden
Subject (Name):
Bridget, of Sweden, Saint, approximately 1303-1373., Bridget, of Sweden, Saint, approximately 1303-1373, Jesus Christ, John, the Baptist, Saint, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, and Michael (Archangel)
Subject (Topic):
Devotion to, Devotion, Nuns, Saints, and Religious life and customs