Missal of Cardinal Della Rovere

This missal was made for Cardinal Domenico della Rovere of Vinovo, who became bishop of Turin in 1482. A high-profile patron who lived in Rome, he was close to Pope Sixtus IV and to the artists working for the Curia towards the end of the century (and Pinturicchio in particular). He was a bibliophile and promoted the construction of the new cathedral of Turin in the Renaissance style. The decoration of this precious manuscript was made by Francesco Marmitta, an artist who is referred to in Giorgio Vasari’s Lives as a jeweller, gem cutter, and illuminator. “After training as a painter, he became an engraver of gemstones, closely imitating the ancients. Many beautiful things of his can be seen.” Marmitta worked as an apprentice in Bologna in the circles of classicist painters (Francesco Francia and Lorenzo Costa), acquiring the latest ideas and influences from the most creative artists of Ferrara, such as Ercole de’ Roberti.