Spirituale Pomerium

Spirituale Pomerium

This manuscript is a wonderful sample of the early art of engraving in the Netherlands, which decorate an intriguing text reflecting the state of late medieval spirituality. Research indicates that both the manuscript and the woodcuts originated from ca. 1440. The 12 woodcuts include four scenes from the Old Testament and eight from the New Testament ranging from Creation to the Coronation of the Virgin Mary with explanatory texts in banderoles. Each depicts a tree beneath which a pious soul, represented by a young girl, gathers three apples representing three blessings. It is believed that either Rogier van der Weyden (1399/1400–1464) or Vrancke van der Stockt (before 1420–95) was the artist responsible for these woodcuts. Only one copy stored in the Bibliothèque Royale in Brussels survives today.

Henricus ex Pomero

Hendrik van den Bogaerde (1382–1469) is believed to be the author of the text because of an inscription on fol. 1v reading Henricus ex Pomerio, which Bogaerde commonly used as a pen name. After ten years as Prior of Sept-Fontaines, Bogaerde was named Prior of Groenendael in 1431. Furthermore, a catalog of his works has been preserved there and includes the Spirituale Pomerium, so his authorship is fairly certain. The following statement appears in Latin at the end of the manuscript without the proper contraction marks: explicit sp(irit)uale pomeriu(m) editu(m) anno d(omi)ni m ccccxl.

Determining the Identity of the Artist

The artistic style has been related to the work of Rogier van der Weyden, who had a known connection with Groenendael Priory, where one of his paintings was preserved. It is recorded that after his death in 1464, masses were said there for his soul. The style has also been associated with the work of the Master of the Redemption, named for an altarpiece in the Prado, who, in turn, has been thought to be Vrancke van der Stockt. He was a student of van der Weyden’s and succeeded him as the master painter of Brussels. If the designs for the Spirituale were made about 1440, either van der Weyden or van der Stockt could have been the artist.