(literally, 'bottom of the page')

scenes are usually unframed images that may or may not refer to the text or image above

A book for use in private devotions -- represents a shorter version of the devotions performed at the eight canonical hours.

The text entered into more popular use by the end of the twelfth century, often being attached to the PSALTER, the book more commonly used for private devotions before the emergence of the book of hours.

allows for portable prayer reference, most commonaly owned by lay people

Canonical hours hours of the virgin hours of the passion/ hours of the cross:

matins=usually 3 am

lauds=dawn

prime=6

terce 9am

sext= midday or noon

none=3 pm

vespers=6pm

compline- nightfall

8 times of prayer a day.

A cycle of daily devotions, performed by members of religious orders and the clergy. The Divine Office was initially arranged so that the complete PSALTER could be recited each week, and much of Holy Scripture throughout the year.

A word written at the end (generally in the lower margin) of a QUIRE that repeats the first word on the following page. Catchwords facilitate the arrangement of the quires during binding.

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Originating in the first century, the codex is a book composed of folded sheets sewn along one edge, distinct from other writing vehicles such as the ROLL or TABLET.

Its portability and ease of consultation made it popular among Christians. Following the Christianization of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, the codex supplanted the roll as the favoured vehicle for literary texts 

became a symbol for christianity and the christian faith Codex – a “new” technology that symbolizes the “new” faith whereas scrolls become associated with the old faith (judaism)

a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. The two most common views are: revealed and rational.

Revealed exegesis considers that the Holy Spirit (God) inspired the authors of the scriptural texts, and so the words of those texts convey a divine revelation. In this view of exegesis, the Bible has a "fuller meaning" than its human authors intended.

Rational exegesis bases its operation on the idea that the authors have their own inspiration, so their works result from human intelligence.

Reading scripture was not an entitlement during the middle ages. You weren’t allowed to simply read it and come up with your own understanding – Reading the bible was highly controlled by catholic doctrine in place at the time.

Saint Jerome – translated the bible form greek and hebrew into latin text which was known as: Vulgate

ornamented with foliage or foils

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A sheet of writing material

the front and back of a folio are referred to as the RECTO and VERSO, respectively.

The term can also be used to denote a large volume size, in which each sheet is folded only once.

bifolio = full sheet

Folio – folded once, most popular size

Quarto – “four” leaves

Octavo – 8

A word or words commenting on, elucidating, or translating those of the main text. Glosses were often written in the margins or between the lines

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enlarged letter at the beginning of a paragraph or other section of text, which contains a picture.

Strictly speaking, an inhabited initial contains figures (human or animal) that are decorative only, without forming a subject, whereas in a historiated initial there is an identifiable figure or a specific scene

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Incipit is a Latin word meaning "it begins". The incipit of a text, such as a poem, song, or book, is the first few words of its opening line. In the medieval period, incipits were often written in a different script or color from the rest of the work of which they were a part.

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Latin for 'things in the margin', marginalia refers to writing or decoration in the margins of a manuscript. Such features can form part of the original program of work, but they also can be of a secondary or even extraneous nature. Marginalia include glosses, annotations, and diagrams.

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Vellum: very fine, thin, made from calfskin (often foetal) Parchment: Thin, made from calf, goat, or sheepskin, often split

where the major expense comes in for the codex -- To produce parchment or vellum, the animal skins were defleshed in a bath of lime, stretched on a frame, and scraped while damp. They could then be treated with PUMICE and cut to size.

Parchment supplanted PAPYRUS as the most popular writing support material in the fourth century, although it was known earlier. Parchment was itself largely replaced by PAPER in the sixteenth century (with the rise of printing), but remained in use for certain high-grade books.

Book of Psalms.

used in liturgical as well as private devotional contexts. The psalter was the principal book for private devotions before the emergence of the BOOK OF HOURS in the thirteenth century.

In the non-monastic Roman LITURGY of the Middle Ages, all one hundred and fifty Psalms were recited each week

 focused on all the aspects of the human relationship to the divine, gives a sense of connection to God and the relationship

Not a practice that requires literacy, they can be memorized

The FRONT side of a folio or leaf, abbreviated as r

• remember = v (verso) comes after r (recto) in the alphabet

A title, chapter heading, or instruction that is not strictly part of the text but which helps to identify its components.

RED INK was often used to distinguish such elements, hence the term, which derives from the Latin for red = rubrica.

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pigments for manuscripts were not usually immediately local and were therefore more expensive

• earliest example of medieval trading

• MOST expensive pigment (worth 4x more than gold)

• component of lapis lazuli stone – only exists in afghanistan, very rare

The BACK of a folio or leaf, abbreviated as v

• remember = v (verso) comes after r (recto) in the alphabet

“Gospel of Matthew Incipit,

Lindisfarne Gospels”

Lindisfarne

c. 715

presumed to be the work of a monk named Eadfrith, who became Bishop of Lindisfarne

richly illustrated in the Insular Style, and originally encased in a fine leather binding covered with jewels and metals. During the Viking raids on Lindisfarne, however, this cover was lost.

In the 10th century an Old English translation of the Gospels was made: a word-for-word gloss inserted between the lines of the Latin text. This is the oldest extant translation of the Gospels into the English language.

The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

“Cross Carpet Page,

Lindisfarne Gospels”

Lindisfarne

c. 715

-decorated pages at the beginning of each Gospel are known as Carpet Pages because they look like oriental rugs. Prayer mats were known in Northumbria at this time and helped prepare worshippers for prayer. They also help prepare them before they move onto holy ground.

In the Lindisfarne Gospels the carpet pages play a similar role, preparing the reader for the the Gospel message.

Each carpet page contains a different form of cross, stressing the different church traditions and their ecumenical relationship

“Omega,

Léon Bible of 960”

Spain

960

Repetition of images to ingrain them into the audience’s visual memories

This manuscript is very precisely dated, having been finished on 19 June 960. The names of its copyist, the miniaturist Florencio and the calligrapher Sancho, are recorded, and they left their portraits in duplicate alongside the large omega of the colophon.

It bears witness to a text prior to the Vulgate of Saint Jerome in its abundant marginal annotations in Latin. Unexpectedly, it bears similar marginalia in Arabic.

blending elements originating in Sassanid, Visigothic, and Islamic art together with new features from Carolingian sources

“Chi-Rho,

Book of Kells”

Iona and/or Kells

Late 8th – 9th century

monogram of Chi(X) and Rho(P) as the first two letters of the greek kristos (Christ) - used as a christian symbol

illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables

created by Celtic monks, largely drawn from the Vulgate

illustrations and ornamentation combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art -- marks the furthest extension of the anti-classical and energetic qualities of Insular ar

The manuscript was never finished, Kells Abbey was plundered and pillaged by Vikings many times in the 10th century, and how the book survived there is not known.

This page marks the incipit or beginning of the 18 verse of Matthew I. The text reads: "XPI autem generatio...." Like other Hiberno-Saxon gospel books, notably the Lindisfarne Gospels, this text is given prominence. It almost serves as a second incipit for the Book of Matthew.

The reason for this prominence can be connected to the importance of the doctrine of the "Incarnation," which literally means "into flesh." The first 17 verses of the book of Matthew recounts the earthly ancestry of Christ back to Abraham, while verse 18 marks the point of the Incarnation of Christ in the book of Matthew.

Remember that the text of the manuscript is written on parchment or animal skin. So that this page is literally "the word made flesh," echoing the beginning of John

“Arrest of Christ,

Book of Kells”

Iona and/or Kells

Late 8th – 9th century

A dramatic scene of this kind is unusual in an art favoring abstract decoration and the representation of formally posed single figures. The relationship between captors and victim is vividly conveyed.

An art which existed on and outside the periphery of the Roman Empire, this barbarian work differed in kind from the Graeco-Roman in that it was not based on man, but was instead an extremely imaginative, abstract style stressing the exuberant patterning.

With the rapid Christianization of Ireland in the fifth century, these old Celtic forms and traditions were not swept away but adapted to the needs and service of the new faith. As Ireland was never conquered and occupied by the Romans, the old forms continued to exist and to be elaborated as the Irish monastic system expanded in relative isolation, separated from a Europe torn by conflict

very symmetrical, figures look directly at viewer. This is very unnerving and forces you to feel his pain

“David and the Ark,

Morgan Picture Bible”

Paris

c. 1240-1250s

believed to be commissioned by Louis IX of France, the Capetian monarch who built the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to house the crown of thorns before leaving for the first of his two crusades in 1248

The various owners left Latin, Persian, and Judeo-Persian inscriptions around the images. With these inscriptions, the keepers of the manuscript used their languages to assert their ownership of the book, appropriating its narrative contents and assimilating it into their own cultures.

In order to make its lessons relevant to readers, the creators of this Bible set Old Testament stories in contemporaneous environments

David's Greatest Triumph: retrieves the Ark of the Covenant from Obed-Edom's house, and a jubilant celebration ensues as the triumphant king, playing upon his harp, leads it into Jerusalem. No one is more overjoyed than the king himself, who dances and leaps before the procession, wishing only to give thanks and humble himself before God. (2 Kings 6:12–16)

Relics were captured from constantinople – particularly the objects of the passion (from His crucifixion) Western crusaders took over constantinople

They were brought back to King Louis IX and, like david,
Louis IX meet them outside of the city and pray as they are bringing them into Paris. Relocation of the relics result in Paris becoming the “new jerusalem” A scene of david in the presence of the arc of the covanent is being deliberately reinacted by Louis IX at the same time of this manuscript being created

“God as Creator/Architect.

Bible Moralisée”

France (Paris?)

13th century

appears that GOD is stepping into the bible, like books are something you delve into.

Usually Christ is the only one made with the cruciform halo, but then when he is shown as the father, son, and holy spirit - like in this image.

He uses a compass to organize order in chaos at the bottom of the image.

luxurious Gothic manuscript - As the title of the manuscript betrays, the Bible moralisée somewhat favours the moral interpretation of the Scriptures, without neglecting other approaches to spiritual exegesis. In the attempt to describe its purpose, one will come to call it a book of edification

The famous frontispiece of the Bible moralisée depicts God as the Creator of the World. The Creation of the Heavens, of the Earth, Sun and Moon and the other elements is compressed in this one picture. The depiction of the Creator God who steps out, bending over the cosmos which is rolling in front of him, and forming it by measuring it with a pair of compasses, has drawn the attention of many, not only for its impressive execution but also because it represents the importance of measuring and proportions in the Middle Ages in an unequalled manner.

“Creation Scenes,

Bible Moralisée”

France (Paris?)
13th century

The Bible moralisée is a later name for the most important of the medieval picture bibles. Each page pairs Old and New Testament episodes with illustrations explaining their moral signicance in terms of typology.

“Woman Clothed with the Sun,

Morgan Beatus”

Léon, Spain

940-945

Commentary on the Apocalypse, originally an eighth century work by the Spanish monk and theologian Beatus. The historical significance of the Commentary is made even more pronounced since it included a world map, which offers a rare insight into the geographical understanding of the post-Roman world.

Beatus wrote a commentary on the book of Revelation, which was very popular. He believed the world would end at 838 AD

Upper left, woman clothed in the sun, standing on the moon, with 12 stars above here. Upper right refers heaven. Woman is confronted by a 7 headed dragon. Woman brought forth a child. There is a war in heaven. Dragon doesn't win. Dragon is cast out.

“Genealogical Table (Line from Adam & Eve),

Morgan Beatus”

Léon, Spain

940-945

series of genealogical tables tracing Christ's lineage, beginning with Adam and Eve.

Beatus – monk at Spanish monastery -he wrote out a very detailed explanation of the massively complex book of Revelations, very powerful and instantly popular

He doesn’t just start with the end of the world, he starts with what has led up to it and where time has been. Adam and eve are shown as documentation of the beginning

Their lineage is shown in a series of rondules They started the sinful process that will lead up to the end of the world. Providing a shorthand of everything that came before in the bible to give meaning to the end times

“Dagulf Psalter (Golden Psalter of Charlemagne)” Worms/Metz/Aachen

Late 8th century

Beatus Vir = inspiration to follow the narrow road

Charlemagne (king of the francs) becomes the king of the unified Christian kingdom – militarily the most powerful ruler in Europe

crowned by the pope in Rome as holy roman emperor = “new” medieval vision of this classical title, yet under influence of the papacy he was having to create a new image for this title

“New World Order” - carolingine dynasty

emperors wore purple – the most difficult pigment, they were restricted to the imperial court

Dagulf Psalter: Combines purple and gold

Deliberately classical font/text

almost architectural script that had existed in rome

He is an emperor of people who are no longer roman, he incorporates many aspects of his own roots and influence of tribal arts that we saw in the book of kells

Psalters reflect a multitude of ideas including the idea that this new emperor answers to God and to the pope

The Golden Psalter of Charlemagne was produced before the imperial coronation of Charlemagne in the year 800

Both layout and design of the manuscript reveal that rather than being destined for use in public liturgy it was intended for a private person

“Matins Opening,

Book of Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux”

France

c. 1324 – 1328

Shows examples of:

Full-page illumination

Opening

Bas-de-page as gloss

Pen & ink drawing provide illuminations while keeping the overall price way down

matins opening combines two images that respond to one another. Through repetition the words are no longer needed to be read therefore you can focus on the images as you recite the prayers.

created for her, to reinforce the idea that she has been chosen to keep their dynasty and to help her meditate and focus on her new role

Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux was largely the work of Pucelle.

“Hours of St. Louis,

Miracle of the Breviary Opening,

Book of Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux”

France

c. 1324 – 1328

The 209 folios of The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux include 25 full-page paintings with paired images from the Infancy and Passion of Christ and scenes of the life of Saint Louis

This lavishly illustrated prayer book (Book of Hours) was created between 1324 and 1328 for Jeanne d'Evreux, queen of France, by the celebrated Parisian illuminator Jean Pucelle (active ca. 1320–34) and was intended for use by the queen during private prayer throughout the course of the day.

St. Louis IX is captured and imprisoned and his book is missing. he cant pray, upset that he is reading from the priest's book.

“Blanche of Castile, Louis IX and scribes.

Moralized Bible.

Morgan Library M.240 fol 8r”

Paris

c. 1235

Blanche of Castile, (Louis’ mother) takes over after the death of the king and instructs Louis IX until he is old enough

She gets control of all of France so she therefore is up to her own devices to train him according to her value systems in order to become the future ruler of her country

Scribes/mediating monk pictured below to give the idea that she is not just making everything up

Teacher/mother -> Student Juxtaposition

Guidebook somewhat of how to be a good, chivalric ruler in the middle ages. Several kings in the new testament Template given for future ruler – great kings are from the old testament and christian rulers look to them as role models. Shows how kings approach different circumstances and give great examples of what to do and what not to do

St Louis owed his realm to his mother and remained under her influence for the duration of her life. 

Blanche was a patron of the arts and owned a variety of books, both in French and in Latin. Some of these were meant as teaching tools for her son. She oversaw the education of her children, all of which studied Latin. She also insisted on lessons in Christian morals for all of them.

Carolingian art comes from the Frankish Empire in the period of roughly 120 years from about AD 780 to 900 — during the reign of Charlemagne and his immediate heirs — popularly known as the Carolingian Renaissance

The art was produced by and for the court circle and a group of important monasteries under Imperial patronage. There was for the first time a thoroughgoing attempt in Northern Europe to revive and emulate classical Mediterranean art forms and styles, that resulted in a blending of classical and Northern elements in a sumptuous and dignified style

Bibles are made from a collection of books

Many many versions, but all contain the same format and are all canonical texts

(Canon – authorized, standard version that is set after reviewing all the information – exemplars of the whole, though not all-inclusive)

Gnostic gospels – version of texts that were not approved by the church and not included in the canonical text

Council of florence – 1441, the bible didn’t get finalized until here

Council of Trent, 1545-63 Certain books were declared heretical and weren’t included

Martin luther created the protestant bible, Catholic bible included seven books that are not in the protestant bible

Matthew (Winged Man) = emphasizes the humanity of Christ

Mark (Lion) = most classical, political view

Luke (Ox) = emphasizes humility and labor

John (Eagle) = most prophetic/evocative, viewed in a metaphorical light

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