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Old Sacristy

La Sacrestia Vecchia
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In the Old Sacristy we find wall paintings from the dome of the Cathedral by Mannerist painter Battista Franco (1798-1561) which were recovered after an earthquake in 1997.

In this same space, we can find  a fresco cycle from the Church of S. Domenico in Urbino, which together with the Trinità from Casteldifabbri, gives evidence of Antonio Alberti da Ferrara's activity in the area (from the end of the XVI to the beginning of the XV century). This artist is one of the original exponents of the International Gothic style in the duchy of Urbino.

The illustrated manuscripts from the “treasures of the Cathedral” attest to the artistic commissions made by the Cathedral Chapter. In addition to fourteenth century hymn books which stand out for the richness and quality of their illuminated script, there is a missal created by an anonymous workshop of miniaturists from central Italy. The first letters of each page have a special design to capture the most important liturgical moments. Urbino was a cultural center during the Renaissance, especially known for its “mathematical humanism”. An example of this aspect is the illuminated missal, a masterpiece by Bartolomeo della Gatta which was influenced by Piero della Francesca's use of perspective. In his Martirio di Sant’Agata, he visually cites the celebrated scene from the  Flagellazione.

In the sacristy display, used until the XVII century to conserve and exhibit art objects, you can find examples of the famous majolica and ceramic products from Urbino and Urbania, decorated with narrative designs.

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