DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22423#0081
Letter XXIY.
FRENCH MSS.
69
which follows—each month occupying a page—only the three first
months have the occupation of the season on the opposite page.
Later in the work appear Apollo on the Quadriga, with a crown
of golden stars, and Diana on the Biga, with the golden crescent
on her head. The vehicles, as in the similar representations in
the well-known MS. of Herrad van Landsberg in Strasburg, are,
doubtless, according to the fashion of the period, simple carts.
Then follow the twelve signs of the zodiac and other astronomical
types—for instance, Cepheus as an enthroned king, Cassiope as
queen, taken quite in front, with uplifted hands, and the seven
stars as circular bust-pictures of seven virgins. The geographical
part is very remarkable for the numerous representations, partly
of a fantastic character, of men, animals, dragons, and other mon-
sters, and of plants, &c.
The first part of a Picture Bible, from the first book of Moses
to the book of Job inclusive, folio. Judging from the character
of the pictures, this may have been executed in France, about
1260-70. It has namely the same moderation in the positions,
the narrow folds of the drapery, and the same solid body-colours
laid on with the brush, which are characteristic of the specimens
of the first half of the thirteenth century, while, on the other hand,
it displays already that type of the broad heads with the small,
mean features, which, according to my observation, does not occur
until after 1250. The motives are often graceful. Dark blue
and a subdued crimson are the favourite colours. Several hands,
and most of them very skilful, may be distinguished. On two
stripes of the parchment, on the left of the pictures, are always
the explanations. The title-page contains the First Person of the
Trinity enthroned, in the mosaic type of Christ, as Creator of the
world, the circle in the right hand, the globe, as a disk, in the
left. In the corners, which are formed of the almond-shaped
glory which surrounds the Almighty, and consists of four seg-
ments of circles, are four angels supporting the same. Besides
the proper scriptural event, many of the well-known emblematic
representations occur here. The pictures are too numerous for
me to attempt to enter into any description. Later in the work
the Almighty appears frequently in the youthful type of Christ.
Another portion of this Picture Bible is in the British Museum, a third
in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris. Ail three together form
probably the most richly illuminated work of the kind that exists.
FRENCH MSS.
69
which follows—each month occupying a page—only the three first
months have the occupation of the season on the opposite page.
Later in the work appear Apollo on the Quadriga, with a crown
of golden stars, and Diana on the Biga, with the golden crescent
on her head. The vehicles, as in the similar representations in
the well-known MS. of Herrad van Landsberg in Strasburg, are,
doubtless, according to the fashion of the period, simple carts.
Then follow the twelve signs of the zodiac and other astronomical
types—for instance, Cepheus as an enthroned king, Cassiope as
queen, taken quite in front, with uplifted hands, and the seven
stars as circular bust-pictures of seven virgins. The geographical
part is very remarkable for the numerous representations, partly
of a fantastic character, of men, animals, dragons, and other mon-
sters, and of plants, &c.
The first part of a Picture Bible, from the first book of Moses
to the book of Job inclusive, folio. Judging from the character
of the pictures, this may have been executed in France, about
1260-70. It has namely the same moderation in the positions,
the narrow folds of the drapery, and the same solid body-colours
laid on with the brush, which are characteristic of the specimens
of the first half of the thirteenth century, while, on the other hand,
it displays already that type of the broad heads with the small,
mean features, which, according to my observation, does not occur
until after 1250. The motives are often graceful. Dark blue
and a subdued crimson are the favourite colours. Several hands,
and most of them very skilful, may be distinguished. On two
stripes of the parchment, on the left of the pictures, are always
the explanations. The title-page contains the First Person of the
Trinity enthroned, in the mosaic type of Christ, as Creator of the
world, the circle in the right hand, the globe, as a disk, in the
left. In the corners, which are formed of the almond-shaped
glory which surrounds the Almighty, and consists of four seg-
ments of circles, are four angels supporting the same. Besides
the proper scriptural event, many of the well-known emblematic
representations occur here. The pictures are too numerous for
me to attempt to enter into any description. Later in the work
the Almighty appears frequently in the youthful type of Christ.
Another portion of this Picture Bible is in the British Museum, a third
in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris. Ail three together form
probably the most richly illuminated work of the kind that exists.