Many books of worship produced during the Romanesque period were characterized by illuminated manuscript.

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1 Many books of worship produced during the Romanesque period were characterized by illuminated manuscript. LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ] Identify the most well-known examples of illuminated bibles and psalters during the Romanesque period. KEY POINTS [ edit ] The typical focii of Romanesque illumination were the Bible, where each book could be prefaced by a large historiated initial, and the Psalter, where major initials were similarly illuminated. St. Alban's Psalter is widely considered to be one of the most important examples of English Romanesque art book production. Other notable books of worship that depict Romanesque art include the Fécamp Bible, Winchester Bible, and Hunterian Psalter. TERMS [ edit ] illuminated manuscript A manuscript in which the text is supplemented by decoration, such as initials, borders (marginalia), and miniatureillustrations. historiated Illuminated with decorative designs that represent parts of the following text. psalter The Book of Psalms, often applied to a book containing the Psalms separately printed. Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [edit ] Romanesque Illuminated Manuscript A number of regional illuminated manuscript schools converged during the early Romanesque period. These included the

2 "Channel school" of England and Northern France, which were heavily influenced by late Anglo-Saxon art (whereas in southern France, the style depended more on Iberian influence); and in Germany and the Low Countries, where Ottonian styles continued to develop, which along with Byzantine styles, influenced Italy. By th the 12 century there had been reciprocal Register for FREE to stop seeing ads influences between all these, although a degree of regional distinctiveness naturally remained. The typical focii of Romanesque illumination were the Bible; where each book could be prefaced by a large historiated initial; and the Psalter, where major initials were similarly illuminated. In both cases, more lavish examples might have cycles of scenes in fullyilluminated pages, sometimes with several scenes per page, in compartments. The Bibles in particular often had a very large page size, and might be bound into more than one volume. Well-known examples include the St. Alban's Psalter, Hunterian Psalter, Winchester Bible (the "Morgan Leaf"), Fécamp Bible, Stavelot Bible, and Parc Abbey Bible. By the end of the period lay-commercial workshops of artists and scribes were becoming significant, and illumination, and books generally, became more widely available to both laity and clergy. St. Alban's Psalter St. Alban's Psalter also known as the Albani Psalter or the Psalter of Christina of Markyate, is an English illuminated manuscript, one of several psalters known to have been created at or th for St Alban's Abbey in the 12 century. It is widely considered to be one of the most important examples of English Romanesque book production; it is of almost unprecedented

3 lavishness of decoration, with over 40 full-page miniatures, and contains a number of iconographic innovations that would endure throughout the Middle Ages.

4 St. Alban's Psalter A scene depicting Mary Magdalene announcing news of the risen Christ. St. Alban's Psalter is widely

5 considered to be one of the most important examples of English Romanesque book production; it is of almost unprecedented lavishness of decoration, with over 40 full page miniatures, and contains a number of iconographic innovations that would endure throughout the Middle Ages. Hunterian Psalter Also known as the York Psalter, the Hunterian Psalter is an illuminated manuscript of the th 12 century. It was produced in England around 1170, and is considered a striking example of this Romanesque style. The book opens with an illustrated calendar, each month beginning with the historiated letters "KL", an abbreviation for kalenda (i.e. the first day of the month). Then follow 13 pages of prefactory full-page miniatures, with two scenes to a page, which include: three pages of Old Testament scenes; six of scenes from the Life of Christ (though further pages are perhaps missing); and, unusually for this date, three from the Life of the Virgin, including a Death of the Virgin with a funeral procession and an Assumption.

6 Hunterian Psalter

7 Depiction of the astrological sign, Gemini. The Hunterian Psalter was produced in England around 1170, and is considered a striking example of this Romanesque style. These are the earliest English miniatures to have gold-leaf backgrounds incised with patterns of lines and dots. After these pages there is an opening with full-page miniatures of David playing his harp and a "Beatus" initial for the start of Psalm 1 ("Beatus vir"). All the psalms have a large illuminated initial, often historiated, and each verse starts with an enlarged gold initial. The start of the 10 traditional divisions of the text have especially large initials, as is usually the case. Winchester Bible The Winchester Bible is a Romanesque illuminated manuscript produced in Winchester between 1160 and With folios measuring 583 x 396 mm., it is the largest surviving 12thcentury English Bible.

8 Winchester Bible A scene depicting God addressing Jeremiah. During the Romanesque period, the focus of major illumination in the West moved from the Gospel Book to the Psalter and the Bible, and the Winchester manuscript is one of the most lavish. During the Romanesque period, the focus of major illumination in the West moved from the Gospel Book to the Psalter and the Bible, and the Winchester manuscript is one of the most lavish. The artwork is incomplete: many illuminations were left unfinished, while others were deliberately removed. The illuminations throughout the manuscript appear in varying stages

9 of completion, ranging from rough outlines and inked drawings to unpainted gilded images and figures complete in all but the final details. In all, 48 of the major historiated initials that begin each book stand complete. Fécamp Bible The Fécamp Bible is an illuminated Latin Bible, produced in Paris during the third quarter of the 13th century. Each book of the Bible and the major sections of Psalms are introduced by a large historiated initial in colors and gold.

10 Fécamp Bible The Fécamp Bible is an illuminated Latin Bible, produced in Paris during the third quarter of the 13th century. Exceptions include the books of Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Haggai: the openings to Deuteronomy and Isaiah are on folios replaced in the 15th century (folios 71 and 301); folio 301 has large decorated initials at the beginning of the Book of Isaiah; and the Book of Haggai has large 13th-century flourished initial (folio 391v). In all, there are 79 extant large historiated initials. The beginnings of the prologues have large zoomorphic and foliate initials. The beginning of each chapter is marked by a small initial in red with blue-pen flourishes, or in blue with redpen flourishes.

What s in a name? Spotlight on David King and Composer. Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books Basel/Stalden Switzerland

What s in a name? Spotlight on David King and Composer Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books Basel/Stalden Switzerland www.guenther-rarebooks.com To name a boy David ( beloved in Hebrew) goes back to the biblical