An Exciting Chronicle of the Genoese Pirate, Dondedeo Bos

Andrea Semino (?), Italy, Genoa, after 1553

Dondedeo Bos Fornari with the relic of the Holy Cross in front of the Cathedral of Genoa. Full-page miniature from a family chronicle commissioned by the Genoese Fornari family.

This work has been sold.

Enquire

Miniature. Tempera, ink and gold on vellum.

Leaf 515 x 352 mm

244

of 255

Overview

Appearing here is Dondedeo Bos – identified by the text – who made a name for himself as a pirate during the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204), stealing from the Venetians spoils of war looted earlier from Constantinople. He donated St. Helen’s reliquary of the Holy Cross to Genoa’s Cathedral, depicted here after reality albeit not facing the sea. The miniature was part of a lavishly illustrated chronicle, commissioned towards the middle of the 16^th century by the Genoese Fornari family. The illumination is tentatively attributed to Andrea Semino (c. 1526-1594), who is known to have painted frescos in Gerolamo Fornari’s Palazzo in Genoa (1559). Another miniature of the Fornari chronicle, showing four other family members, is on offer at Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books.

Read more about this artwork in our Spotlight.

Back to list