Obsequiale for Jan de Witte, first Bishop of Santiago de Cuba, (Arenberg Ms. 35),
Manuscript in Latin on vellum, illuminated by an artist from the circle of Simon Bening. Flanders, Bruges, c. 1540
Hide caption
This work is now sold.
This manuscript contains the rites and liturgy for the funeral mass for Jan de Witte, who was the first bishop of Cuba. De Witte also fulfilled the eminent task of being the confessor to the Emperor Charles’ V sister. The personal names of both the deceased and the celebrant of the funeral mass are paired with a devotional miniature and the bishop’s arms and personal device to introduce the text and endow it with the utmost individuality.
The book is probably the product of an artist in the circle of Simon Bening, who was also influenced by the renowned Gerard David. The image represents the Bishop as patron kneeling before the Crucifixion and its beautiful atmospheric landscape recalls Bening’s gifted hand.
This wonderful manuscript is now in the possession of the Musea Brugge and Openbare Bibliotheek Brugge.
Read more about this fantastic work in our brochure, Collecting Culture.
