Utrecht Psalter
Type:
Illuminated manuscripts,
Psalters
Date:
ca. 825
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
France
Medium:
Parchment
Dimensions:
380 × 310 mm
Description:
This Carolingian Psalter is known for its intricate line-drawn illustrations. Images inspired by different verses appear within continuous landscapes, giving the illusion of a coherent narrative. The Utrecht Psalter's illustrations sometimes serve as literal illustrations of words or phrases and sometimes as Christological interpretations (i.e., Christianized readings of texts from the Hebrew Bible). The page reproduced here (fol. 33r) has the illustration for Psalm 58/59 (there are two numbers for this psalm because the Hebrew and Christian Bible numbering does not always match). Near the bottom of the page, gesturing men surround an empty round table. Nearby, dogs prowl around a walled city. Together, these are literal illustrations of the following verses: "They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city. They shall be scattered abroad to eat, and shall murmur if they be not filled." In the top left is a Christological interpretation of the verse, "Rise up thou to meet me, and behold: even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel." The figure rising up is Christ, who has risen from the tomb-like throne behind him.
The Utrecht Psalter was made during the reign of Louis the Pious but it went on to influence similar Psalters in England after it arrived in Canterbury around the year 1000.
The Utrecht Psalter was made during the reign of Louis the Pious but it went on to influence similar Psalters in England after it arrived in Canterbury around the year 1000.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
5
