Peterborough Psalter in Brussels

Peterborough Psalter in Brussels

A collection of Psalms meant for use in daily mass was created for the Benedictine abbey of Peterborough ca. 1300. This psalter is probably the most thrilling example of a Gothic prayer book. The Peterborough Psalter in Brussels contains 141 pages with 116 gold bordered miniatures, 24 calendar medallions, and 10 historiated initials altogether, which stretch across more than half a page and are decorated with scenic bordures, as well as a multitude of smaller gold initials and line decoration made from gold and colorful plant tendrils. The text of the book is consistently written in alternating gold and azure. The imagination of the book’s illuminator was unbounded and no other Gothic psalter is comparable with this richly furnished work.

A Work for a Great Dignitary

Originally, the richly decorated psalter was commissioned by Geoffrey of Cowland, the abbot of the Peterborough Abbey and served as the basis for the monks’ daily choral prayers. Later, the codex found itself in the highest ruling houses of Europe, among them were Pope John XXII, Charles V, and Napoleon. While it was in the possession of the French Valois Dynasty, every miniature was furnished with the seigniorial symbol of the fleur-de-lis. The powerful Burgundian Duke Philipp the Good had his coat-of-arms added in gold and silver. The work also gained a personal stamp from Napoleon. His courtly bookmaker added the current binding, which is fitted with a gilded imperial emblem.

A Unique Picture Cycle

At the time, the Peterborough Psalter was the only codex that combined scenes from the Old and New Testaments into a single picture cycle and not illustrated in separate cycles as was common. 38 depictions from the New Testament correspond with 71 miniatures of the Old Testament, as a result there are two to four events from the Old Testament assigned to each scene from the New Testament. There are a few depictions that conspicuously illustrate worldly motifs instead of biblical scenes. A few of these worldly miniatures strongly resemble scenes from the courtly novel “Jehan et Blonde”, which was written in 1278 by the author Philippe de Rémi, who was from Picardy.

Medieval Painting at the Peak of Perfection

The unusually valuable miniatures still astound their modern beholder. Every page of the codex is embellished with gold that draws attention the vibrancy of the bright colors. The miniatures, with finely patterned gold backgrounds, show slim figures with individual facial features. The depicted scenes appear vivid and realistic. Only the costliest materials and color pigments were used. The magnificent miniatures are reminiscent of stained glass in Gothic churches with respect to their monumental impression. The script of the codex was designed in an especially appealing way. The pages of text are written alternately in shimmering gold and intense azure. This particularity highlights the immeasurable value of the work as well and makes it a unique treasure of Gothic book art.