The Borso d'Este Bible, a lavishly illuminated 15th-century manuscript often called the 'Mona Lisa of Illuminated Manuscripts,' has gone on public display at the Italian Senate in Rome. The two-volume Bible, commissioned by Duke Borso d'Este between 1455 and 1461, features gold and Afghan lapis lazuli illustrations and is usually kept in a safe at a Modena library. Its rare public showing is part of the Vatican's Holy Year celebrations, which are expected to draw 32 million visitors to Rome. The Bible was transported under elaborate security and is presented in a humidity-controlled case with a touch-screen digital experience.
The exhibition matters because it offers a rare opportunity to see a masterpiece of miniature art that combines sacred significance, historical importance, and exquisite craftsmanship. The Bible also represents a pivotal moment in history, created just as Johannes Gutenberg's printing press was revolutionizing book production. Its journey from Ferrara to Modena and eventually to Rome reflects centuries of political upheaval, including the fall of Ferrara to the papacy, Italian unification, and the Habsburg dynasty's influence. The display underscores the enduring power of illuminated manuscripts as both religious artifacts and symbols of dynastic ambition.