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
Autograph narrative, extensively illustrated by Mrs. Kenah, of two journeys in Europe taken by the Kenah couple with friends in 1821-24 and in 1827-29. On the first tour, accompanied by Walter Burrell, MP for Sussex, and "Mrs. Crutchley of Sunning Hill Park....and a Blenheim spaniel," the Kenahs traveled through France, Switzerland, Italy, and Bavaria; they were present in Naples for the 1822 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and spent time in Rome and Lucca as well. In the later tour, they visited the Low Countries, Germany, and Trieste. The text is clearly drawn from diaries kept by Mrs. Kenah during the tours, and contains her often humorous responses, as an "Inexperienced Traveller," to tourist sights, local customs and manners, "foreign" food, and travel difficulties, Mrs. Kenah describes herself as "a woman in quest of the Picturesque," and over 80 of her watercolors and pen and ink sketches are mounted in her travel album. Subjects include "Eruption of Vesuvius, October 22, 1822 as it appeared at midday;" several portraits of Lucchese, Swiss and German figures in local costume; a portrait of Tommaso Sgricci, the famous improvvisatore; a memorial Mass in Caudenberg; the "table d'hote" at the Baths of Ems; the Salon at the Palazzo Ricasoli in 1824; and a variety of "picturesque" landscapes, including a view of the Bay of Naples, of a canal in Venice, and of several castles and mountain scenes in Germany. Also included are several printed views of German scenes which have been hand-colored, and In addition, there are watercolors of English subjects at the end of the volume: cottage scenes, rural landscapes, "view of Box Hill," "Grimsthorpe, 1826," and "Dunkeld from Dr. Fisher's garden. Sept. 9 1826."
Description:
Spine title reads: "Journal. Vol. I.", Annotated on front endpaper: "Mary Leigh Best, 1878.", and Binding: Contemporary calf, red gilt morocco spine label, gilt decoration.
Subject (Geographic):
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Lucca (Italy), Naples (Italy), and Vesuvius (Italy)
Ethnic costume, Grand tours (Education), Landscape drawing, Travelers' writings, English, Views, Women authors, Women travelers, Description and travel, Social life and customs, and Eruption, 1822