Beyond Words: Italian Renaissance Books
Past Gardner Museum Exhibits worth Re-exploring
Discover "Beyond Words: Italian Renaissance Books" at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Dates: September 22, 2016 - January 16, 2017
Location: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
What Was Inside?
Step back in time with Beyond Words: Italian Renaissance Books, a remarkable exhibition showcasing over 65 rare Italian manuscripts and books from the 14th and 15th centuries.
These masterpieces, originally crafted for scholars, princes, and popes, featured stunning paintings that were hidden for centuries in private collections and prestigious libraries.
A Unique Collaboration
This exhibit is part of a larger city-wide initiative, Beyond Words: Illuminated Manuscripts in Boston Collections, in partnership with Harvard University’s Houghton Library and Boston College’s McMullen Museum.
Together, these institutions celebrate 260 magnificent works of art, many of which have never been seen by the public or even scholars.
Highlights of the Exhibit Included:
- Rare Books and Manuscripts: See Gardner's own rare editions, including a 15th-century copy of Dante’s The Divine Comedy with original illustrations by Botticelli.
- Evolution of Bookmaking: Discover how new technology revolutionized book production in the Renaissance, transitioning from hand-painted manuscripts to early printed books.
- Collaborations with Other Institutions: Additional works were on loan from the Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine Arts, & Wellesley College, among others.
Special Feature: Gardner’s Literary World
Don’t miss the Gardner’s Literary World exhibit in the Museum's Vatachino gallery, which offers a glimpse into Isabella Stewart Gardner’s personal library.
The display includes letters, books, and manuscripts connected to her literary interests, such as an autographed copy of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and a photograph of George Sand by Nadar.
In Summary
This exhibition provided a rare opportunity to view exquisite works of art and learn about the history of bookmaking during the Italian Renaissance. Whether you're an art lover, history enthusiast, or just curious about this fascinating era, Beyond Words offers something for everyone.
The Gardner Museum has been and continues to be one of my favorite museums of all time. I have visited countless times and I never fail to find something new during every visit.
I encourage you to check out our our a href="https://www.bostoncentral.com/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum-photos">Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Guide</a>, as well as another fascinating past exhibit: <a href="https://www.bostoncentral.com/titian-painting-exhibit-isabella-gardner-museum-boston-poesie">Titian Poesies: Women, Myth & Power</a>. It is indeed one of Boston's many special places.
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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for well over 20 years. She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area, and the Gardner Museum has always been one of her favorites.