Godescalc Evangelistary
Godescalc Evangelistary
AUTHOR: GODESCALC
LANGUAGE: LATIN
DATE: 781-783
PAGE #: 264
REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS:
HISTORY/DESCRIPTION: THE GODESCALC EVANGELISTARY OR GODESCALC GOSPEL LECTIONARY IS AN ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT FROM THE EIGHTH CENTURY. THIS GOSPEL BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE FRANKISH SCRIBE GODESCALC AND IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE CAROLINGIAN ILLUMINATION STYLE. THIS GODESCALC EVANGELISTARY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE CAROLINGIAN KING CHARLEMAGNE AND HIS WIFE, HILDEGARD, IN ORDER TO COMMEMORATE CHARLEMAGNE'S MARCH TO ITALY, HIS MEETING WITH POPE ADRIAN I, AND THE BAPTISM OF HIS SON PEPIN.
THE MANUSCRIPT CONTAINS OUTLINES OF PRAYER SERVICES AND CONTAINS SELECTIONS FROM THE GOSPELS DESIGNED TO BE READ AT MASS THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. THE GODESCALC EVANGELISTARY CONTAINS SIX MINIATURES; THE FIRST FOUR ARE THE EVANGELISTS MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN; THE FIFTH IS CHRIST AND THE LAST MINIATURE IS AN IMAGE OF THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. IT WAS WRITTEN IN GOLD AND SILVER INK ON PURPLE PARCHMENT AND CONTAINED AN INSCRIPTION FROM GODESCALC:
GOLDEN WORDS ARE PAINTED ON PURPLE PAGES,
THE THUNDERER’S SHINING KINGDOMS OF THE STARRY HEAVENS,
REVEALED IN ROSE-RED BLOOD, DISCLOSE THE JOYS OF HEAVEN,
AND THE ELOQUENCE OF GOD GLITTERING WITH FITTING BRILLIANCE,
PROMISES THE SPLENDID REWARDS OF MARTYRDOM TO BE GAINED.
THIS MANUSCRIPT IS PRESERVED IN THE BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE.
REPRODUCTION DETAILS: OUR HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH REAL WOOD FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS AS WELL AS THE SPINE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE LEATHER IS ADHERED TO THE COVERS WITH GLUE AND MOLDED INTO THE SHAPE AT THE HAND OF OUR LOCAL ARTISANS. THE SIGNATURES/PAGES ARE HANDSEWN USING A LIBRARY BINDING METHOD. THE SEWN BOOK IS BOUND WITH A STRONG ADHESIVE GLUE THAT MAKES THE BINDINGS LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGER BOOKS. WE ALSO ADD A THICK MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
