Ornamenting Psalmody: The Illuminated Choral Books of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Florence

This talk explores original research conducted in the Biblioteca Laurenziana in Florence on a set of 19 rare choral book produced at the Camaldolese monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Florence. These books, “the largest perhaps in Italy” according to Giorgio Vasari, were written and illuminated between 1390-1520. Monks from the Order and outside artists illuminated the volumes. The Latin text and illuminations provide a glimpse into the innovations of this artistic school and into the somaesthetic experience of monks who employed these books throughout the liturgical year.