DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14722#0145
98
BIBLE PRESENTED TO CHARLES TIIE BALD BY COUNT VIVIAN.
also published other fac-similes of the volume; others representing the ornamental details are given by Willemin,
and a series of the smaller curious capital letters by the Benedictines (Vol. ii. pl. 18, and iii. pl. 37 and 41).
This volume is destitute of miniatures.
The Bible of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Paul at Rome1 must here be mentioned, although
antiquaries are in doubt whether the portrait aud verses contained in it were intended for Charlemagne or
Charles the Bald. This is a MS. of large folio size, " ingentis molis pulchritudine et elegantia nulli cedit
vere Augustam prsefert magnificentiain," as observed by Montfaucon. The text is written in a small Caroline
minuscule/ aud ornamented with capitals of a gigantic size (of which D'Agincourt has given a fac-simile),
executed in a style very similar to that of the initials in the Grospels of the Coronations of the Anglo-Saxon
Kings, but having the open spaces filled up with foliated ornaments and flowers. The illuminations are of
great interest, comprising a portrait of the Prince " Karolus," for whom this volume was written,3 which has
led to much discussion.
In this drawing the monarch is represented seated on a throne crowned, and wearing short moustaches,
but without a beard, and holding in his hand a globe, inscribed with the letters CRSNMXRLEH, the inter-
pretation of which has exercised the ingenuity of different authors. Beneath the portrait are, however, written
some verses, commencing—
" Eex caeli dns solita pietate redundans
Hunc Karolum regeni terrae dilixit hei'ilem," &c,
which, with other verses in the prologue to the volume addressed, to " Hex Carolus," by " Ingobertus referens et
scriba fidelis," leave no doubt that it was either for Charlemagne or his grandson that the volume was written.4
The monarch is attended by two females and two squires, who have been regarded as Hildegarde and her
attendant, and Charlemagne^s two sons, Carolan and Louis. The lower part of the page contains in three
compartments, the labours of St. Jerome in reforming the text of the Bible : the first division representing him
starting on his travels, being very similarly treated to the same subject in the plate at the head of the present
article. Fac-similes of this, and several of the other drawings which ornament this MS., occupying entire folio
pages, are given by D'Agincourt, who has devoted six plates to their iliustration, and who observes that they
constitute " un exemple tres remarquable de Tetat ou Part se trouvait parmi les Latins," at the period of the
execution of the volume, the drawing being very indifferent and rude, and the grouping of the figures extremely
confused, although, in general, the chief personage is placed in the centre of the drawing. It must be added
that this MS. exhibits the Vulgate text in what Blanchini calls its second state, namely, the version of Jerome
much corrupted previous to its correction by Alcuin.
1 Now deposited in the Monastery of St. Calixtus, dependant on Mabillon (Museum Ttal. 1, p. 70) ; Montfaucon (Monum. de la Mon.
St. Paul's. Franc. 1, 304«); CAgincourt (Les Arts par les Monumens); and
2 Blanchini Evang. quad. vol. ii. pt. 2. tab. p. dcxxyi. has given a Willemin (Monum. ined. de France).
long fac-simile. 4 See N. Traite de Diplom. iii.,p. 123—125, for a discussion on the
3 Engraved by Allemani (De Latcranens. pariet., &c, Eom. 1625 question.
aad 1756) ; Margarini (Insciipt. Antiq. Easilic. S. Pauli, Eom. 1654);
4
BIBLE PRESENTED TO CHARLES TIIE BALD BY COUNT VIVIAN.
also published other fac-similes of the volume; others representing the ornamental details are given by Willemin,
and a series of the smaller curious capital letters by the Benedictines (Vol. ii. pl. 18, and iii. pl. 37 and 41).
This volume is destitute of miniatures.
The Bible of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Paul at Rome1 must here be mentioned, although
antiquaries are in doubt whether the portrait aud verses contained in it were intended for Charlemagne or
Charles the Bald. This is a MS. of large folio size, " ingentis molis pulchritudine et elegantia nulli cedit
vere Augustam prsefert magnificentiain," as observed by Montfaucon. The text is written in a small Caroline
minuscule/ aud ornamented with capitals of a gigantic size (of which D'Agincourt has given a fac-simile),
executed in a style very similar to that of the initials in the Grospels of the Coronations of the Anglo-Saxon
Kings, but having the open spaces filled up with foliated ornaments and flowers. The illuminations are of
great interest, comprising a portrait of the Prince " Karolus," for whom this volume was written,3 which has
led to much discussion.
In this drawing the monarch is represented seated on a throne crowned, and wearing short moustaches,
but without a beard, and holding in his hand a globe, inscribed with the letters CRSNMXRLEH, the inter-
pretation of which has exercised the ingenuity of different authors. Beneath the portrait are, however, written
some verses, commencing—
" Eex caeli dns solita pietate redundans
Hunc Karolum regeni terrae dilixit hei'ilem," &c,
which, with other verses in the prologue to the volume addressed, to " Hex Carolus," by " Ingobertus referens et
scriba fidelis," leave no doubt that it was either for Charlemagne or his grandson that the volume was written.4
The monarch is attended by two females and two squires, who have been regarded as Hildegarde and her
attendant, and Charlemagne^s two sons, Carolan and Louis. The lower part of the page contains in three
compartments, the labours of St. Jerome in reforming the text of the Bible : the first division representing him
starting on his travels, being very similarly treated to the same subject in the plate at the head of the present
article. Fac-similes of this, and several of the other drawings which ornament this MS., occupying entire folio
pages, are given by D'Agincourt, who has devoted six plates to their iliustration, and who observes that they
constitute " un exemple tres remarquable de Tetat ou Part se trouvait parmi les Latins," at the period of the
execution of the volume, the drawing being very indifferent and rude, and the grouping of the figures extremely
confused, although, in general, the chief personage is placed in the centre of the drawing. It must be added
that this MS. exhibits the Vulgate text in what Blanchini calls its second state, namely, the version of Jerome
much corrupted previous to its correction by Alcuin.
1 Now deposited in the Monastery of St. Calixtus, dependant on Mabillon (Museum Ttal. 1, p. 70) ; Montfaucon (Monum. de la Mon.
St. Paul's. Franc. 1, 304«); CAgincourt (Les Arts par les Monumens); and
2 Blanchini Evang. quad. vol. ii. pt. 2. tab. p. dcxxyi. has given a Willemin (Monum. ined. de France).
long fac-simile. 4 See N. Traite de Diplom. iii.,p. 123—125, for a discussion on the
3 Engraved by Allemani (De Latcranens. pariet., &c, Eom. 1625 question.
aad 1756) ; Margarini (Insciipt. Antiq. Easilic. S. Pauli, Eom. 1654);
4