The Diocesan museum of Brescia is a museum in Italy dedicated to the artistic patrimony of the Diocese of Brescia, and is located in the greater cloister of the Monastery of Saint Joseph in via Gasparo Salò, a short distance from the Piazza della Loggia. The museum, founded in 1978 by Bishop Luigi Morstabilini, contains numerous works of art from the entire diocesan territory, throughout the province of Brescia, including paintings, sculpture, gold and silver work, and liturgical vestments. In addition, the museum is the usual setting for the exposition of sacred art in the region.
History
The idea for the creation of a museum for the diocese of Brescia first developed in the 1970s. The initiative was taken up by Monsignor Angelo Pietrobelli who identified the greater cloister of Saint Joseph as a site sufficiently spacious and prestigious. The diocese's acquisition of the property was lengthy and complicated, and ultimately required special governmental legislation. On December 23, 1978 the bishop of Brescia, Luigi Morstabilini, inaugurated a canonical religious foundation known as the "Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art". On April 21, 1988 the bishop of Brescia, Bruno Foresti, substituted the old statute with a new one, to which, in addition to the collection and preservation of diocesan works of art that might be in danger of dispersion or ruin, he added initiatives of restoration as well as of cultural and educational outreach. Also, thanks to Bishop Foresti, the greater cloister of Saint Joseph was completely restored. The newer statute, revised by Bishop Giulio Sanguineti, was the basis for the civil recognition of the religious foundation. From February 2010 the Diocesan Museum of Brescia has been recognized by the Italian state as a Fondazione di Religione e di Culto.
Various Ex votos from the church of Saint Mary of the Patrocinio, 18th century-19th century
Illuminated manuscripts
This section houses twenty-two illuminated manuscripts, dated from the 12th to the 16th century and coming exclusively from the capitular library of Brescia. The oldest manuscripts were made for Jacopo de Atti, bishop of Brescia, and contain illuminations from the French and Bolognese schools. Of great importance:
Bonizone da Sutri, De vita christiana o Capitolare 13, late 12th century
Antifonary, 12th century, contains the first complete version of the office for the Feast of saints Faustino and Giovita, patrons of the city
The Summa Theologiae of saint Thomas Aquinas, 14th century
Liturgical books and music of the 15th century, decorated with illuminated initial letters, as well as floral and plant motifs
Mariegola di Collio, 1523, illuminations from an artist influenced by Floriano Ferramola
Precious metal works
The section containing gold and silver work is organized by era and by type, and displays a considerable collection of liturgical objects dated from the late 15th century to the 19th century. It includes works of silver and gold from Brescia, Venice, and Milan. Of particular interest:
An architectonic thurible, embossed copper, of the Lombard-Venetian school
An altar cross, gold-plated with precious stones from the church of Saint Eufemia of Fonte
Liturgical vestments
The section, inaugurated in 1997, includes a collection of liturgical vestments, mostly of Venetian and French origin, exhibited by significance, color, symbolism, and style. Of major interest:
