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MS. IV 480

Book of Hours of Alexander VI "Pope Borgia"

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Masterpiece of the Flemish School
15th Century



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he history of the Borja, which spans over 100 years, is hard to believe beyond any legend or myth. They were a family belonging to the small Valencian aristocracy that in less than half a century attributed two popes -Calixto III and Alexander VI- and a dozen cardinals to the Roman Church. They therefore held the central position of the Church's power for many years. In other words they represented the epicentre of Renaissance Rome and even Europe. They married off their children to reigning families, they became the leading figures in the fight for supremacy in Italy, they were the source of numerous sacrileges, unlike any the pope would have to experience in years to come. Bringing an end to the incredible spiral of events gave rise to the great saint, San Francisco de Borja, general of the Society of Jesus at the height of the Counter-Reformation.

  • Executed by the artists from its best school: Gerard David, Horembout and some others.
  • Ordered by Rodrigo de Borja, "Pope Borgia", at the end of the 15th Century.
  • It consists of 420 pages illuminated with gold and silver, 84 great miniatures, numerous images decorated with floral, animal, fruit and architechtonical motif
  • Dimensions: 185 x 135 mm. Vellum.
  • World edition -unique and unrepeatable- limited to 999 copies certified and numbered before a notary.

Preserved at the "Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique"

A Documentation Kit containing 2 sample pages, in the original size, from The Book of Hours of Alexander VI is available for $US75-.

An Art Book is also available for $US140-.

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