Reichenau Pericopes Book

Reichenau Pericopes Book – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)

Monastery of Reichenau (Germany) — Beginning of the 11th century

A magnificent work from the famous Reichenau scriptorium, created for Emperor Henry II: fascinating Ottonian illumination on a radiant gold background, encased in a breathtaking magnificent ivory binding

  1. The scriptorium of the Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau on Lake Constance was one of the brightest centers of medieval illumination ever

  2. Created at the behest of or for the German Emperor Henry II (973–1024), it impresses with rich magenta and gold

  3. A rarity: the original cover with the ivory depiction of Mary’s Assumption has been preserved

Reichenau Pericopes Book

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (3)
Description
Reichenau Pericopes Book

The scribes and illuminators of Reichenau Abbey in southern Germany were responsible for some of the greatest manuscripts of the Middle Ages and of the Ottonian period in particular. During the Ottonian age, splendid Reichenau manuscripts were created for high ranking clientele such as Otto III, Henry II, or Egbert, the Archbishop of Trier. The Reichenau Pericopes Book is one of the most impressive and beautiful manuscripts to be held today in the Herzog August Library in WolfenbĂŒttel, where it is guarded like a public treasury – and rightfully so. Likely created on order of the German Emperor Henry II, its unique beauty lies in its captivatingly rich use of magenta and gold throughout. The manuscript was likely donated by the Emperor to the monastery at Hildesheim after its archives were gutted by a fire on January 20th, 1013.

Reichenau Pericopes Book

Hardly any epoch in the history of book painting has produced such impressive and magnificent manuscripts as the Ottonian age. Among these, a scriptorium stands out above all others in a time when book painters created codices of unsurpassable technical skill and beauty: the scriptorium of Reichenau Abbey. The Reichenau Pericopes Book is one of the most impressive and beautiful manuscripts to be held today in the Herzog August Library in WolfenbĂŒttel, where it is guarded like a public treasury – and rightfully so. Likely created on order of the German Emperor Henry II, its unique beauty lies in its captivatingly rich use of magenta and gold throughout. The Reichenau Pericopes Book is unique and singular amongst the entire collection of German illumination from the Middle Ages, not only artistically but as well through its use of graphic icons, its nine incomparable pages of miniatures, and six splendiferous pages of decorated initials.

A Golden Pericopes Book

The manuscript in WolfenbĂŒttel is an evangeliary: The 109 readings (Pericopes) originate exclusively from the four gospels and are arranged in a reading sequence according to the Christian years. Certain highly important ones are illustrated in altogether nine full-page miniatures, which captivate through the expressive use of rich gold gilding and radiant colors. In addition, there are six full-pages of decorative initials, whose large ornamentally arranged design emphasize and introduce selected readings. The unbelievable colors of the decorative elements which contain an abundance of imperial magenta and the finest gold borders, not to mention the generous body of text and numerous golden text initials, all provide a testimony to the high requirement standard of this manuscript.

An Unbelievable Work of Creative Power at the Zenith of German Book Painting

The evangeliary in WolfenbĂŒttel originated approximately 1000 years ago in the scriptorium of the Benedictine monastery at Reichenau. During the Ottonian age, splendid Reichenau manuscripts were created for high ranking clientele such as Otto III, Henry II, or Egbert, the Archbishop of Trier. The preserved collection of Reichenau works ranks amongst the most precious and impressive expressions of art during the Middle Ages.

The Miniatures: Radiant Gold and Imperial Magenta Created with Unparalleled Skill

The miniatures in the Reichenau Pericopes Book are painted on a vibrant gold base using opaque colors which have not lost any of their original charm. The series of pictures begins with a representation of the birth of Christ and the proclamation of his birth by the shepherds. The adoration of the king somehow connects the large-figured representation of the Virgin Mary holding her child on her lap, with the approaching Three Wise Men from the Orient, who present their gifts in out-stretched arms. A unique combination of pictures and initials rich with figures, provide a reading for Holy Saturday: the most famous miniature features a male figure climbing up the trunk of a large initial "I". Seldom shown is the freeing of Petrus from the dungeon. The picture series is closed by a miniature showing the death and ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven: a picture theme that was verifiable in Western art only a few years before the emergence of the Reichenau Pericopes Book. Thus our codex represents an absolutely unique work of creative power from the school of Reichenau.

Catastrophic Fire and Chaos of War: Origin and History of the Manuscript

The manuscript was most likely a part of the coronation endowment of Henry II (1002–1024), donated by him on the 26th of March, 1013 during the occasion of his visit to Hildesheim. Hildesheim was hit at the beginning of this year with a catastrophe: on the 20th of January, 1013 it was devastated by a fire, the archive and book inventory of the monastery in particular. This fact may have given cause for the Emperor to endow the monastery with a present in the form of a book. Surely the glorious layout of the Reichenau Pericopes Book with gold and magenta leads one to this assumption. The patron and site of origin of the Reichenau Pericopes Book cannot be verified due to missing sources of information. A hint is provided however – the accentuation of the celebration of the Dead and the Ascension of the Virgin Mary into Heaven: the picture of this celebration (fol. 79v) is prominently displayed and in a splendid ivory carving on the front cover of the book.

An Aristocratic Bibliophile

Duke August the Younger of Braunschweig-LĂŒneburg (1579–1666), a famous 17th century collector and founder of the now Herzog August Library in WolfenbĂŒttel, acquired the Reichenau Pericopes Book in 1658, most likely from an unknown collector. The Duke saved large numbers of manuscripts during the occupation of Hildesheim, which had been stolen or pilfered in the course of the 30 Years War. At least seven of these manuscripts originated from the Hildesheim St Michael monastery, whose Patron Saint was the Virgin Mary. Therefore one can assume that the Reichenau Pericopes Book once constituted a main part of the Hildesheim cathedral treasury.

The Ivory Cover: a Unique Work of Art

The wood boards and Byzantine ivory relief carving remain preserved from the original cover of the manuscript. Created ca. 1000, it depicts the death of the Virgin Mary: Mary lies on her death bed, surrounded by apostles. Petrus swings a votive with incense and Paulus mourns while embracing her feet. Christ stands behind the bed, represented in monumental size. In his hands he holds the soul of Mary, depicted as a small puppet-like figure. Flying angels receive the soul and carry it to heaven.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Reichenauer Perikopenbuch
Size / Format
216 pages / 28.0 × 18.5 cm
Origin
Germany
Date
Beginning of the 11th century
Style
Language
Script
Carolingian minuscule Uncial Capitals
Illustrations
9 miniatures, 6 full-page initials and numerous golden initials
Content
Book of Pericopes
Patron
Holy Roman Emperor Henry II (972–1024)
Previous Owners
Duke August the Younger of Braunschweig-LĂŒneburg (1579–1666), founder of the Herzog August Library in WolfenbĂŒttel (Germany)

Available facsimile editions:
Reichenau Pericopes Book – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)
Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 99 copies

Reichenau Pericopes Book – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)
Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 400 copies

Reichenau Pericopes Book – Coron Verlag – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)
Coron Verlag – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 100 copies (within the 499 copies of the total printrun)
Detail Picture

Reichenau Pericopes Book

Decorative “P” Initial

This magnificent swirl of tendrils is typical of the fine works of Ottonian art that were produced at Reichenau monastery: bright shades of green, orange, and gold leaf wonderfully contrasted by a purple background. The initial is intertwined with the classically-styled frame filled with acanthus leaves and pink pearls as though it were actually made of growing vines. The remarkably well preserved state of this thousand-year-old work of art is a testament to the quality of the materials used.

Reichenau Pericopes Book – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)
Single Page

Reichenau Pericopes Book

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

This miniatures is a wonderful depiction of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Twelve Apostles as described in the Book of Acts. This event is traditionally regarded as the birth of the early Church. The present depiction of the Pentecost also represents an archetypal Ottonian miniature.

Classical robes and architecture, expressive gestures and piercing eyes, purple paint and gold leaf – this miniature has all the hallmarks of Ottonian illumination. Colored stripes of magenta and gold help to divide Heaven and Earth in typical Ottonian fashion. Unlike later compositions, the Holy Spirit is not represented by a dove, but simply by rays of gold leaf radiating from clouds of red, blue, and green that are flanked by angels.

Reichenau Pericopes Book – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Cod. Guelf. 84.5 Aug 2° – Herzog August Bibliothek (WolfenbĂŒttel, Germany)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Das Reichenauer Perikopenbuch (Luxury Edition)

Publisher: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 99 copies
Binding: The front cover is a true-to-original rendition of the fantastic ivory relief which also adorns that of the precious original. Front and back made of oakwood. This masterpiece of the art of facsimile is stored in a luxury case. All folios are cut according to the original.
Commentary: 1 volume by Thomas Labusiak
Language: German
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€)

#2 Das Reichenauer Perikopenbuch (Normal Edition)

Publisher: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 400 copies
Binding: Leather with blind embossing
Commentary: 1 volume by Thomas Labusiak
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) All folios are cut according to the original.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#3 Das Reichenauer Perikopenbuch (Normal Edition)

Coron Verlag – Graz, 2009

Publisher: Coron Verlag – Graz, 2009
Limited Edition: 100 copies (within the 499 copies of the total printrun)
Binding: Leather with blind embossing
Commentary: 1 volume by Thomas Labusiak
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) All folios are cut according to the original.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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