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Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis

French (Artist)
Ambrosius Aurelius Theodosius Macrobius (active ca. 395–423) (Author)
ca. 1175-1200 (Medieval)
ink and pigments on thin to medium-weight calfskin bound between boards covered with leather
(Medieval Europe , Manuscripts and Rare Books)

This copy of Macrobius' Commentarii in somnium Scipionis was produced most likely in northeastern France in the late twelfth century. The manuscript includes seven major diagrams, of which four are original to the manuscript (fols. 38v, 41r, 43v, and 47v) and three others, including a map of the world, were added early in the history of the manuscript (fols. 64v, 65v, and 66r). Additional minor diagrams demonstrating relationships in philosophical ideas or other concepts introduced in the text appear throughout the manuscript in the margins, added by later hands.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Franciscan ownership, 14th century [1]. Acquired by Abbot Luigi Celotti [ca. 1768-1846] [2], first half 19th century; Celotti Sale, Evans, London, 14 March 1825, no. 478; purchased by Thomas Thorpe [1791-1851], London, 1825. Acquired by Sir Thomas Phillipps [3]; Phillipps Sale, Sotheby's, London, April 27-May 2 1903, no. 749; purchased by Bernard Quaritch, 1903; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1903; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.

[1] notation on fol. 66r
[2] "Celotti" added on front pastedown during first half of 19th century
[3] Ms. 1029

Exhibitions

2016-2017 A Feast for the Senses: Art and Experience in Medieval Europe. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota.
2001-2002 Expanding World Views: A Millennium of Maps. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.
1996-1997 Music in Manuscripts. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.
1992 A World of Foreign Lands. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.
1984-1985 Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
4/1/1975 Treatment stabilized
3/28/1985 Treatment re-housed
9/22/2016 Treatment examined for exhibition; filled; loss compensation
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Geographies

France (Place of Origin)

Measurements

Overall H: 8 1/4 x 5 1/8 in. (21 x 13 cm); Folio H: 8 × W: 4 1/2 in. (20.25 × 11.5 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by Henry Walters, 1903

Location in Museum

Not on view

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

W.22

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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