Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis – Almqvist & Wiksell – MS C93 – Universitetsbibliotek Uppsala (Uppsala, Sweden)

Echternach Abbey (Luxembourg) β€” Ca. 1050

Classically styled Evangelist portraits, purple dye, and gold leaf: a sumptuously illuminated commission of Emperor Henry III from the renowned scriptorium of Echternach Abbey

  1. Emperor Henry III (1016–1056) gifted the Gospel book to Goslar Cathedral to celebrate its consecration

  2. The manuscript remained in Goslar until it disappeared during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)

  3. It is richly decorated with evangelist portraits, splendid incipit pages on purple grounds and golden initials

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

MS C93 Universitetsbibliotek Uppsala (Uppsala, Sweden)
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

The Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis is one of the most elaborate and valuable manuscripts commissioned by Ottonian emperors. The large-format magnificent codex was created around 1050 for Emperor Henry III (1016-1056), who donated it to the newly established Goslar Cathedral, as demonstrated by a splendid presentation miniature. Five further full-page miniatures present imposing portraits of the four Evangelists at the beginning of the gospels of the Evangeliary, as well as a remarkable coronation image of the Emperor and Empress Henry and Agnes (1025-77), who are given rulership by Christ. Numerous golden decorated initials, magnificent incipit pages and ornate canon tables complement the opulent illumination of the manuscript, which is decorated all over with purple and gold. This precious masterpiece was created in the famous scriptorium of Echternach Abbey, which produced lavishly illuminated codices for centuries that are some of the gems of all medieval art.

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

Although sometimes referred to as the Emperor’s Bible, the Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis is actually an 11th century Gospel book originating from the famous scriptorium of Echternach Abbey when that institution was at the peak of its manuscript production. It was commissioned ca. 1050 by the Emperor Henry III (1016-56) who then gifted it to Goslar Cathedral, an event which is depicted in a presentation miniature depicting the Emperor gifting the codex to Jude the Apostle and Simon the Zealot, who were the patron saints of the cathedral. On the opposite page, an additional miniature shows the coronation of Henry III and his wife Agnes of Poitou (1025-77) and both miniature pages are framed with a lovely textile pattern.

DΓ©cor Worthy of an Emperor

Aside from the two full-page miniatures at the beginning, each Gospel is preceded by a full-page Evangelist portrait. Five full-page initials also aid to introduce the commentary by Saint Jerome and each individual Gospel, in addition to two decorative incipit pages, respectively. Twelve gorgeous canon tables written in gold ink with vaulted arches, multicolored columns, and medallions with the Apostles and other figures. A single scribe appears to be responsible for the text, which was written by a masterly hand in Carolingian miniscule. Chapter headings and passages are preceded by decorative purple-green initials with gold leaf. The text ends with a series of pericopes and other short passages for specific holidays, indicating its ceremonial purpose.

A Missing Masterpiece

After being donated by the Emperor, the manuscript stayed in the treasury of Goslar Cathedral for more than five centuries, where it would have been used for ceremonial occasions and important holidays. The precious codex was lost in the course of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) when the Protestant city of Goslar was occupied by allied Swedish troops from 1632-34. However, the priests of the cathedral continued to practice Catholicism, and as such may have been the victim of plunder. Nonetheless, when it resurfaced more than 100 years later ca. 1740 it was in the possession of the Swedish diplomat, civil servant, and bibliophile Gustaf Celsing the Elder – and the luxury binding was gone. Upon the death of his son in 1805, the work was acquired by Uppsala University where it remains to this day.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Evangeliary of Henry III
Evangeliar Heinrichs III.
The Emperor's Bible of Uppsala
Kaiserbibel
Size / Format
318 pages / 38.0 Γ— 28.0 cm
Date
Ca. 1050
Style
Language
Script
Carolingian Minuscule
Illustrations
12 exceedingly splendid canon panels; 2 ornate carpet pages; 6 full-page miniatures richly decorated with gold; 6 full-page splendid initials on a gold background; 16 full-page and half-page text pages with gold background and uncounted gold initials
Content
Gospels
Patron
Emperor Henry III (1016–1056)
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Gustaf Celsing
Gustaf junior and Ulrik Celsing

Available facsimile editions:
Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis – Almqvist & Wiksell – MS C93 – Universitetsbibliotek Uppsala (Uppsala, Sweden)
Almqvist & Wiksell – Stockholm, 1971
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Detail Picture

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

Patron Portrait of Henry III

Dressed in imperial purple trimmed with cloth of gold, Henry III is shown presenting the manuscript at hand to Saint Simon and Saint Jude, patron saints of the Goslar Cathedral, who are shown seated under a green tile roof. They are barefoot to emphasize their piety and are dressed in traditional Roman togas. The artwork is conspicuously Byzantine in style, especially with regard to the burnished gold background and the enlarged hands, which emphasize their gesturing.

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis – Almqvist & Wiksell – MS C93 – Universitetsbibliotek Uppsala (Uppsala, Sweden)
Single Page

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

Coronation Miniature

Opposite of the donor portrait, Emperor Henry III and his wife Empress Agnes are shown being crowned by Christ, who sits in majesty and looks out from the page directly at the reader. Christ’s feet are shown resting on an orb with rings of various colors that represents the world and all of creation and he is presented before a spaceless and timeless gold leaf background.

The Emperor is depicted wearing golden spurs and holding a scepter with a bird on it, the Empress holds a scepter with a fleur-de-lis, both figures are dressed in purple robes trimmed with gold. The three figures are surrounded by the Evangelist Symbols, each presented in a medallion with a gold background. An intricate textile pattern frames the entire page.

Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis – Almqvist & Wiksell – MS C93 – Universitetsbibliotek Uppsala (Uppsala, Sweden)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Codex Caesareus Upsaliensis

Almqvist & Wiksell – Stockholm, 1971

Publisher: Almqvist & Wiksell – Stockholm, 1971
Limited Edition: 500 copies
Binding: The facsimile with parchment binding and the commentary volume with half leather binding come in a dark red slipcase.
Commentary: 1 volume by Carl Nordenfalk
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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