Martyrology of Usuard

Martyrology of Usuard

Sometime in the middle of the 9th century a Benedictine monk named Usuard (d. 877) produced a manuscript that travelled widely over the centuries and clearly influenced the illumination of the Late Middle Ages. This manuscript is the Martyrology of Usuard, which was commissioned by Charles the Bald (823–877) according to the prologue. This codex is unanimously considered among art historians to be one of the most noble and extravagantly illuminated manuscripts of the Gothic era. The text of the work deals with saints, how they endured their martyrdoms, and is adorned with impressive miniatures. The manuscript from ca. 1400 contains 700+ colored miniatures with golden ornaments in the International Gothic or Soft Style.

Who was Usuard?

The Benedictine monk was a member of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris and lived in the 9th century. Usuard was an important member of the monastic order and was famous for his astonishing Martyrology, which was adapted countless times over the centuries. In the prologue of the manuscript, it is told how the monk presented his work to Charles the Bald. Ca. 1400 the codex was expanded by a few saints and received its breathtaking book adornment at the court of Wenceslas of Bohemia.

Courtly Illumination

The Martyrology played an important role in international courtly book art. The pictures of the manuscript are typical examples of the exquisite Bohemian painting of the Middle Ages and show distinctive influences of international art during the transition from the 14th to the 15th century. The miniatures show saints, who are either in the agonies of their martyrdom or whose remains are being buried. Each picture is captured in lively colors and is lavishly decorated with gold embellishments. The depictions are in round medallions, which are elegantly framed and connected with one another by naturalistic plant tendrils.

A Well-Travelled Manuscript

Usuard brought his codex along on his journey to Spain, where he was sent to collect important relics. His Martyrology remained in Catalonia for centuries, and later came into the possession of important aristocratic houses in Austria, Hungary, Sweden, and Italy. In the 17th century the valuable manuscript was attained by the Museu Diocesà in the Spanish city of Girona, where it is still housed today.