Tam cantando quam legendo. Il breviario monastico e la sua decorazione nel contesto della spiritualità olivetana delle origini

This study aims to offer a preliminary synthesis on the olivetan manuscript breviary, along with analytical methodologies and a census of currently known specimens. The research is grounded in two main scholarly traditions: liturgical-spiritual analyses by olivetan scholars such as Valerio Cattana and Giorgio Picasso, and art-historical investigations focused on individual codices. The construction of a comprehensive interdisciplinary framework proceeds through three stages: a historical examination of olivetan spirituality and its impact on prayer texts; an in-depth analysis of sources concerning the configuration of the liturgical calendar and the use of portable service books; and a systematic survey of extant or newly identified manuscripts. Each manuscript is accompanied by a detailed entry that consolidates codicological and art-historical information, aiming to refine the chronological and geographical context of its production, as well as its material history. This essay aspires to serve as a foundational reference for guiding future scholarly inquiries, fostering deeper exploration into the study and contextualization of newly identified olivetan breviaries.