The Codex Egberti

#

his facsimile is published as part of the "Memory of the World" program which was launched by UNESCO in 1992. Its purpose is to collect significant cultural documents of the world and to contribute to the preservation of the documentary heritage of humanity. The extraordinary cultural significance of Reichenau book illumination is underlined by the inclusion of ten illuminated manuscripts from Reichenau in the "Memory of the World Register", among them the Codex Egberti and The Bamberg Apocalypse (also in this catalogue).

Oldest picture cycle on the Life of Christ

he Codex Egberti stands out even amidst the richly illuminated manuscripts from the prolific period of the arts under the Ottonian kings. Right from the very first leaves, this precious volume bears testimony to the bibliophile penchant of its commissioner, Archbishop Egbert of Trier: it opens with a dedication and a portrait of the Bishop on a double page in gold and purple. Two monks at Egbert's feet, Kerald and Heribert of Reichenau, present the volume to the donor. This is followed by four impressive full-page illustrations of the Evangelists.

The ensuing 51 narrative pictures on the Life of Christ fascinate the viewer with their delicately shining grounds and carefully composed groups of figures in each miniature. This picture cycle on the Life of Christ is the earliest in the entire history of book painting.

The brilliance of silver and gold:
60 ornamental pages and over 240 initials

The Gospel Pericopes, or Evangelistary, referred to as the Codex Egberti represent the readings from the four Gospels throughout the ecclesiastical year on 165 leaves. Each reading starts with a large initial I, which is filled with an interlace band in gold and silver. Precious gold was also used for the fine details in the countless miniatures, e.g. for emphasizing the three-dimensionality of drapery folds.

The Codex Egberti – a fusion of various styles

Bishop Egbert was active during the second half of the 10th century, a period considered to be among the most fruitful in the history of art. Centres of outstanding artistic creativity emerged from the scriptoria of the abbeys at the time, and the Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau was the most famous of all.

The artist-monks of Lake Constance developed a style which was to mark Ottonian book painting. The monks successfully created a breathtaking synthesis between northern and southern art forms. Their pictorial heritage includes the precious Carolingian traditions as well as traces of Insular painting and Byzantine influences. The Codex Egberti represents an early pinnacle of this new form, where the spirit of the old meets with the new in a very special manner.

Pictures of great narrative force

In addition to the miniatures on the Life and Wondrous Doings of Christ, the rich picture cycle includes portraits of the Evangelists and Bishop Egbert, that have always fascinated viewers with their awe-inspiring, solemn effect. Each miniature – from the Nativity to the Ascension and Pentecost – is filled with great spiritual power.

It seems an unusual selection, as the Codex Egberti presents some miracles of Christ that otherwise seldom appear in manuscripts.

The coherence of the cycle clearly proves that there was one master responsible for the book's artistic concept. Art historians have identified him as the "Master of the Registrum Gregorii", a monk who, on Egbert's initiative, also decorated a collection of letters from Pope Gregory the Great.

The Master of the Registrum Gregorii:
a waymark of Ottonian illumination

A distinctive feature of the painterly craft of the Master of the Registrum Gregorii, whose hand is recognisable in at least seven miniatures of the book, is his tendency to rely on late Antique models influenced by the style of Byzantium. Both the Trier and the Reichenau libraries included old volumes that the Master of the Registrum Gregorii used as a source for his work. The Master certainly trained his artistic expression by studying the mosaics in Trier, or even perhaps during a journey to Italy.

Although he was susceptible to the ideals of classical Antiquity, some of his miniatures still betray the search for new iconographic trends. His art incorporated both an appreciation of the old and an openness for the power of the new. Classical standards served as a basis for his individual painting style, which on the other hand offered entirely new solutions for the problems of space and three-dimensionality.

The mysterious effects of glittering gold

The particular effect emanating from the mysteriously iridescent backgrounds in the Codex Egberti not only relies on the artist's masterly combination of colours. In each miniature, the use of delicately applied gold adds a charming touch to the subtly shimmering pastel-coloured grounds. And the combination of gold, silver, and red lead makes the numerous I-initials in the book particularly attractive.
Today, after more than 1000 years, the gold and much of the silver are still both in excellent condition, lending the book the same splendour that it had in Bishop Egbert's day.

The Fine Art Facsimile Edition

The Codex Egberti is published in a true-to-the-original Fine Art Facsimile Edition that is limited to only 980 hand-numbered copies world-wide. All 330 pages are trimmed according to the original and reproduced in the format 270 x 210 mm. The glowing gold and silver that the artist-monks used for the 60 illuminated pages and more than 240 initials are meticulously re-created, down to the most minor details.

The green silk binding is a replica of a typical book binding from the Ottonian period. The front plate is decorated with an elaborate silver-plated and patinated metal plate. It is modelled on an illustration of Egbert, seen on the reliquary of the true cross in Mettlach, Germany, which is the only portrait of the bishop ever done on metal.

The commentary volume

The academic commentary presents the latest results of research on Ottonian art and the Codex Egberti. The team of authors, including Gunther Franz, Trier; Franz J. Ronig, Trier; Robert Fuchs, Cologne; Doris Oltrogge, Cologne; and Sif Dagmar Dornheim, Friboug in Breisgau, provide sound and illustrative insight into the secrets of this masterpiece of illumination.

For better protection, the Fine Art Facsimile Edition comes in a slip-case made of acrylic glass.

Documentation Kit

A Documentation Kit containing 2 sample pages, in the original size, from the The Codex Egberti Fine Art Facsimile Volume, plus an illustrated, 12 page information brochure, is available for $US80.

#