| De situ orbis | |
|---|---|
 First page of manuscript, f.1r. | |
| Artist | Giovanni Bellini |
| Year | 1458 - 1459 |
| Dimensions | 37 cm × 25 cm (15 in × 9.8 in) |
| Location | Albi, France |
De situ orbis, housed at the Albi library (Ms. 77), is an illuminated manuscript of Strabo's Geography, of Italian provenance, dated 1459.
This text by Strabo was translated from Ancient Greek into Latin by Guarino of Verona on the orders of Venetian general Jacopo Antonio Marcello and presented as a diplomatic gift to René of Anjou on September 13, 1459. It constitutes part of a collection of books sent by the Italian military officer to the French prince, both bibliophiles and enthusiasts of ancient culture. The esteemed manuscript was presumably composed in Padua in a humanist style, embellished with exceptional faceted initials inspired by antiquity. The manuscript is particularly noteworthy for its two miniatures, which are presented as small paintings. These depict the translator, the patron, and the recipient of the work. The miniatures have been attributed to various artists by art historians, but are currently considered to be the work of Giovanni Bellini. They played a role in disseminating the style of the Italian Renaissance in France, particularly in the illuminated manuscripts of King René. The manuscript is thought to have reached Albi at the end of the 15th century or the beginning of the following century and is now part of the cathedral library's collections.