Saint-Médard de Soissons Gospels
Date:
ca. 800
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
France
Medium:
Parchment
Dimensions:
36.5 × 26 cm
Description:
This luxurious Gospel book was produced at the Court School of Charlemagne (742–814). In 827, Charlemagne's son, Louis the Pious (778–840), donated it to the monastery of Saint-Médard at Soissons, from which it now takes its name. The text is written in gold and organized into framed double columns. The first page of each Gospel begins with elaborate initials placed against purple backgrounds.
The Soissons Gospels' image of the Fountain of Life as an octagonal font was inspired by the Lateran Baptistery in Rome (also octagonal). In addition, the artist included full-page evangelist portraits and canon tables with the symbols of the evangelists and a variety of flora and fauna in the upper corners. The colourful marble columns sometimes conceal human face within their swirling patterns.
The Soissons Gospels' image of the Fountain of Life as an octagonal font was inspired by the Lateran Baptistery in Rome (also octagonal). In addition, the artist included full-page evangelist portraits and canon tables with the symbols of the evangelists and a variety of flora and fauna in the upper corners. The colourful marble columns sometimes conceal human face within their swirling patterns.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
5
Repository and Online Resources:
• Flip through the manuscript on the website of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
