- Barberini Gospels
The Barberini Gospels is an illuminated
Hiberno-Saxon manuscript Gospel Book (Rome ,Vatican City ,Biblioteca Apostolica , Barberini Lat. 570, also known as the Wigbald Gospels), assumed to be of a late eighth century origin. After coming to light following its move to theVatican Library in 1902 this luxuryGospel book had been largely ignored by the academic community until it became the subject of a doctoral dissertation in 2004. Earlier writing includes some brief comparisons of itsiconography with that of its contemporaries and an inconclusive debate regarding the site of its production. There have also been speculations about a colophon, an entreaty for the reader to pray for oneWigbald and its role in providing a connection to a specific historical context.The "Barberini Gospels" contains one illuminated canon table, four
Evangelist portrait s, and fifteen decoratedinitial s. The book follows a fairly standard format in which each separate Gospel book opens with a portrait of the author and a large decorated initial, or "incipit ", at the beginning of the text. Another large decorated initial, often referred to as the “monogram of Christ,” punctuates the beginning of Matthew's account ofthe Incarnation ; more initials are inserted in a similar fashion at key points in the other Gospel texts. Key to the treatment of the origin of the "Barberini Gospels" is the striking contrast between two very distinct traditions and painting styles. On the one hand are the elaborate and intricately decorated initials one comes to expect in insular manuscripts of this period. The technical expertise of these embellishments is at the same level as those of more well-known manuscripts such as the "Book of Kells " or the "Lichfield Gospels ". On the other hand, there are many elements employed in the decoration of this Gospel book which do not seem to belong here, either because they more closely resemble motifs found in non-insular or Continental art or because they are too early, foreshadowing trends of a later, even Romanesque period.References
*2004 dissertation, "The Barberini Gospels", by Nancy Bishop
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.