Medieval Manuscripts

CHURCH HISTORY IN LITURGICAL ART

BY JUAN P. FLORES

TOP 8 MASTERPIECES IN

FRENCH DECRETUM GRATIANI1250 ADGratian

Opened book

The Decretum Gratiani, also known as the Concordia discordantium canonum or Concordantia

discordantium canonum, is a collection of Canon law compiled and written in the 12th century as a

legal textbook by the jurist known as Gratian.

Positive ecclesiastical laws, based directly or indirectly upon immutable divine law or natural

law, derive formal authority in the case of universal laws from the supreme legislator (i.e. the Supreme Pontiff), who possesses the totality of legislative, executive, and judicial power in his person, while

particular laws derive formal authority from a legislator inferior to the supreme legislator.

VIII

CODEX AUREUS OF ST. EMMERAM870 ADBro. Liuthard, Beringer

Sample Folios

The Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram (Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14000) is a 9th-

century illuminated Gospel Book.

It was produced for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II (the Bald) in 870 at his Carolingian Palace School.

Seven full-page miniatures show the four evangelists, Charles the Bald enthroned, the Adoration of the

Lamb and a Christ in Majesty. It also includes twelve canon tables, ten illuminated initials and incipits. The text is written in golden uncial letters, with each page framed. It measures 420 mm by 330 mm and has 126

vellum folios.

The cover is handmade of gold, and decorated with precious gemstones, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. At the centre of the cover appears Christ in Majesty, in repoussé relief, seated on the globe of the world and holding on his knee a book inscribed with the words:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me."

VII

CODEX AUREUS OF ST. EMMERAM870 ADBro. Liuthard, Beringer

Cover

The cover is handmade of gold, and decorated

with precious gemstones, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls.

At the centre of the cover appears Christ in

Majesty, in repoussé relief, seated on the

globe of the world and holding on his knee a

book inscribed with the words:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No

man cometh to the Father, but by me."

VI

The adoration of the Lamb from the Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram.

LINDISFARE GOSPELS715 ADBro. Eadfrith

the Cover

Considered Insular or Hiberno-Saxon artBound colours with egg and fish glue

Gold used sporadicallyProduced in honour of St. Cuthbert

Eadfrith consecrated 698, died in 721

The Lindisfarne Gospels is a Christian manuscript, containing the gospels of

Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The

manuscript was used for ceremonial purposes to promote and celebrate the

Christian religion and the word of God.

Some pigments were imported from the Mediterranean and Himalayas.

V

detail from Page

LINDISFARE GOSPELS715 ADBro. Eadfrith

the Interior Pages

Considered Insular or Hiberno-Saxon artBound colours with egg and fish glue Gold used sporadicallyProduced in honour of St. CuthbertEadfrith consecrated 698, died in 721

The Lindisfarne Gospels is a Christian manuscript, containing the gospels of

Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The

manuscript was used for ceremonial purposes to promote and celebrate the

Christian religion and the word of God.

Some pigments were imported from the Mediterranean and Himalayas.

V

LINDISFARE GOSPELS715 ADBro. Eadfrith

the Interior Pages

Considered Insular or Hiberno-Saxon artBound colours with egg and fish glue Gold used sporadicallyProduced in honour of St. CuthbertEadfrith consecrated 698, died in 721

The Lindisfarne Gospels is a Christian manuscript, containing the gospels of

Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The

manuscript was used for ceremonial purposes to promote and celebrate the

Christian religion and the word of God.

Some pigments were imported from the Mediterranean and Himalayas.

V

CODEX AUREUS OF CANTERBURY750 ADAnonymous

The beginning of the Gospel of Luke

Several Gospel Books from the 9th through 11th centuries were so heavily

illuminated with gold leaf that they were referred to as the Codex Aureus.

This one contains the text of the four Gospels in Latin written in an uncial

script on vellum leaves that alternately are dyed purple and undyed.

The illustration program includes two surviving evangelist portraits, six canon tables and seven large decorated initials. The manuscript is the oldest surviving example of initials decorated with gold

leaf. Its decoration combines Insular and Italian elements.

IV

CODEX AUREUS OF CANTERBURY750 ADAnonymous

Evangelist portrait of Saint John

IV

Several Gospel Books from the 9th through 11th centuries were so heavily

illuminated with gold leaf that they were referred to as the Codex Aureus.

This one contains the text of the four Gospels in Latin written in an uncial

script on vellum leaves that alternately are dyed purple and undyed.

The illustration program includes two surviving evangelist portraits, six

canon tables and seven large decorated initials. The manuscript is the oldest

surviving example of initials decorated with gold leaf. Its decoration combines

Insular and Italian elements.

BIBLE MORALISÉE DE VIENNE 25541215 ADAnonymous

The Creation

Moralized Bibles are expensive illuminated manuscripts of the thirteenth century.

The copy "Vienna 2554" made it to the Imperial Library in Vienna in 1783. It is the most familiar of the bibles with a famous

frontispiece.

There are scenes representing the Old and New Testament, with 8 scenes per page. It is

the only one entirely written in French. It was realized for a sponsor of the royal

family of France.

On the back of folio 1 is a miniature full page representing God, bent over a globe

with a compass in his hand, symbolizing the architect of the universe.

III

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

II

Herrad of Landsberg (c.1130 - July 25, 1195) was a 12th century Alsatian nun and abbess of

Hohenburg Abbey in the Vosges mountains. She is known as the

author of the pictorial encyclopedia Hortus deliciarum (The Garden of Delights). Herrad of Landsberg was born about 1130 at the castle of Landsberg, the seat

of a noble Alsatian family. She entered the Hohenburg Abbey in

the Vosges mountains, about fifteen miles from Strasbourg, at an early age. She became abbess

there in 1167 and continued in that office until her death.

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

Here will go an explanation.

II

Most of the manuscript was a compendium of 12th century knowledge containing poems, illustrations, and music; some

from classical and Arab writers.

Sister Herrad included some of her own musical poems in her

compilation.

There were 336 illustrations of theological, philosophical, and

literary themes

In 1870, the manuscript was burnt and destroyed when the library

housing it in Strasbourg was bombed during a siege on the city.

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

II

Most of the manuscript was a compendium of 12th century knowledge containing poems, illustrations, and music; some

from classical and Arab writers.

Sister Herrad included some of her own musical poems in her

compilation.

There were 336 illustrations of theological, philosophical, and

literary themes

In 1870, the manuscript was burnt and destroyed when the library

housing it in Strasbourg was bombed during a siege on the city.

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

Royal feast

II

Most of the manuscript was a compendium of 12th century knowledge containing poems, illustrations, and music; some

from classical and Arab writers.

Sister Herrad included some of her own musical poems in her

compilation.

There were 336 illustrations of theological, philosophical, and

literary themes

In 1870, the manuscript was burnt and destroyed when the library

housing it in Strasbourg was bombed during a siege on the city. Battle, Unknown

Mill Diagram

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

The Nativity

Herrad of Landsberg (c.1130 - July 25, 1195) was a 12th century Alsatian nun and abbess of

Hohenburg Abbey in the Vosges mountains. She is known as the

author of the pictorial encyclopedia Hortus deliciarum (The Garden of Delights). Herrad of Landsberg was born about 1130 at the castle of Landsberg, the seat

of a noble Alsatian family. She entered the Hohenburg Abbey in

the Vosges mountains, about fifteen miles from Strasbourg, at an early age. She became abbess

there in 1167 and continued in that office until her death.

II

The Creation

Harking Angels and Sheperds

Pentecost

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

II

Philosophy, the Queen, sits in the center of the circle. Three heads extending from her crown represent Ethics, Logic and Physics.

"All wisdom comes from God; only the wise can achieve what they desire."

Below Philosophy are Socrates and Plato.with writing on ethics, physics, and rhetoric

From Philosophy emerge seven streams, the seven liberal arts inspired by the Holy Spirit

"I, Godlike Philosophy, control all things with wisdom; I lay out seven arts which are

subordinate to me."

1185 ADSister Herrad

II

12:00 - Grammar "Through me all can learn what are the words, the syllables, and the letters."

2:00 - Rhetoric "Thanks to me, proud speaker, your speeches will be able to take strength."

4:00 - Dialectic "My arguments are followed with speed, just like the dog's barking."

5:00 - Music "I teach my art using a variety of instruments."

7:00 - Arithmetic "I base myself on the numbers and show the proportions between them."

9:00 - Geometry "It is with exactness that I survey the ground."

11:00 Astronomy "I hold the names of the celestial bodies and predict the future."

HORTUS DELICIARUM1185 ADSister Herrad

II

The large ring around the whole scene contains four aphorisms:

"What it discovers is remembered""Philosophy investigates the secrets of the elements and all things"

"Philosophy teaches arts by seven branches""It puts it in writing, in order to convey it to the students"

Below the circle are four men seated at desks, poets or magicians, beyond the

influence of Philosophy. According to the text they are guided and taught by impure

spirits and they produce is only tales or fables, frivolous poetry, or magic spells.

Black birds are speaking to them instead of the white dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit.

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample page

Late International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

Cover Astrological Man

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample page

Late International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

The Baptism of St. Augustine January

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample page

Late International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

Page

Detail

Detail

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Late International Gothic phase of the style

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the style

A collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hoursMade for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416

The original manuscript was left unfinishedEmbellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the style

A collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hoursMade for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416

The original manuscript was left unfinishedEmbellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the style

A collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hoursMade for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416

The original manuscript was left unfinishedEmbellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

TRÈS RICHES HEURES DU DUC DE BERRY1412 AD

Limbourg Bros.

Sample pageLate International Gothic phase of the styleA collection of prayers to be said at the canonical hours

Made for John, Duke of Berry, who died in 1416The original manuscript was left unfinished

Embellished in the 1440s by an anonymous painter

I

CHURCH HISTORY IN LITURGICAL ARTBY JUAN P. FLORES

ReferencesIllumination from Hortus deliciarum

http://www.plosin.com/work/HortusDetails.html

Bible moralisée de Vienne 2554 https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_moralis

%C3%A9e_de_Vienne_2554

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr

%C3%A8s_Riches_Heures_du_Duc_de_Berry

Biblioteca Nacional de España http://www.bne.es/es/Micrositios/

Exposiciones/BNE300/documentos/300anos_60-61.pdf

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CHURCH HISTORY IN LITURGICAL ARTBY JUAN P. FLORES