Speyer Gospels
The Speyer Gospels , also Codex Aureus Spirensis or Codex Aureus Escorialensis , is the parchment manuscript of an Gospel , which was commissioned by Emperor Heinrich III. 1046, probably in the Echternach monastery , for which the Speyer Cathedral was made. The Codex is one of the main works of Ottonian book illumination and is also available under the names Salisches Kaiser-Evangeliar or Goldenes Gospelbuch Heinrichs III. known. Today it is kept in the Escorial library (El Escorial, Real Biblioteca, Cod. Vitrinas 17 ).
A number of important works emerged from the Echternach monastery, known for its book art, of which ten liturgical illuminated manuscripts, which are stylistically, iconographically and ornamentally closely related, are still preserved. The Speyer Gospels and the Pericope Book of Heinrich III. and the Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis of 1051 on the three works that were commissioned by Henry III. were created. The reason for the foundation of the Gospel in 1046 was the consecration of the high altar of the Speyer Cathedral.
The work consists of “340 (+2) pages (170 + 1 sheet, 21 layers) in the large format 500 × 350 mm with 13 full-page and 43 half-page images, 12 canon tables, 44 splendid decorative pages, 18 pages with two decorative columns and 11 pages with a decorative column, a total of 141 decorative pages, plus 124 tendril initials; every page of the text of the Gospels with running title, 50 of which have an additional bearer figure (Atlant) Font: Carolingian minuscule in two columns of 36 lines each with the text written entirely in gold ink. Lettering area: 370 × 235 mm. Binding: red leather, gold-stamped in Pointillé style with brass fittings ”.
The dedication picture (fol. 3r) shows Maria, patroness of the cathedral, in the center; on the left Heinrich III., on the right his wife Empress Agnes . The medallions show the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, temperance, strength and justice. The Speyer Cathedral is shown in the upper half of the picture .
The manuscript later came into the possession of Emperor Maximilian I , his daughter Margaret of Austria (1480–1530) and his granddaughter Maria of Hungary . From them it was inherited by Philip II , who added it to his royal library in the Escorial.
This codex should not be confused with the Speyer Evangelistar . Konrad von Tann had this gospel book produced as custodian of the Cyriakus pen in Worms around 1220 and added it to the cathedral treasury when he became bishop in Speyer. Today it is also located under the name Codex Bruchsaliensis 1 in the Badische Landesbibliothek in Karlsruhe.
literature
- Albert Boeckler : The golden book of Gospels Heinrich III. German Association for Art History. Berlin 1933.
- Manfred Leube: Gospels of Heinrich III. The Speyer Gospels. History - salary - shape. Pilgrims, Freiburg i. Br. 1989, ISBN 3-87637-039-6 .
- Johannes Rathofer (ed.): The Salian Kaiser Gospels. The Codex aureus Escorialensis (= Colección scriptorium. Vol. 5). Facsimile edition, Testimonio / Bibliotheca Rara, Madrid / Münster 1994, ISBN 978-3-928518-14-7 .
- Commentary on the facsimile edition. Vol. 1, 1998, ISBN 3-928518-13-5 .
- Commentary on the facsimile edition. Vol. 2, 2001, ISBN 3-928518-13-5 .
- Ingo F. Walther, Norbert Wolf : Codices Illustres: the most beautiful illuminated manuscripts in the world; 400 to 1600. Taschen, Cologne 2001, ISBN 3822860239 , pp. 132-135.
Web links
- Exhibition: The Speyer Evangelistar - A masterpiece of book illumination as a masterpiece of facsimile from May 15, 2013 to July 6, 2013 in the Badische Landesbibliothek