The Bible of the Patrick Leo

Patricius Leo was a high-ranking Byzantine dignitary who had commissioned the Bible manuscript and its miniatures in the past. His brother, Constantine, had founded a monastery to which he donated the manuscript. To this day, it is unknown who created it; however, from the differences in color, text, and other details, it can be deduced that several writers and artists contributed to the work. This manuscript later came into the possession of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626–1689). Christina of Sweden is considered one of Europe's greatest personalities. Queen at the age of six, the orphan of the legendary hero Gustavus Adolphus the Great, she was a prodigy of culture and acumen when she assumed power at eighteen in 1644. Sources recall Christina as a young woman thirsty for knowledge, who spoke seven languages, conversed in Latin, and corresponded with scholars from all over Europe. The queen also participated actively in the philosophical discussions held at court and avidly collected mathematical and scientific manuscripts.

For ten years, Queen Christina handled affairs of state with rare competence, strengthening Swedish power.

In 1654, she renounced the crown in favor of her cousin Charles Gustav and converted to Catholicism. She abandoned the throne for the sake of freedom: by refusing to marry and abjuring the Lutheran religion, she earned a prominent position in Baroque Rome as a celebrated convert, where she settled in December 1655. Warmly welcomed by Pope Alexander VII and scholars, she founded an important Academy in Rome, which gave rise to the Arcadia Academy. Her residence, located in the Palazzo Riario, became a refined gathering place, where Pietro Bollori curated an art gallery housing works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens, among others, and where Arcangelo Corelli was concertmaster. Christina died in April 1689 and is buried in St. Peter's.

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