Godescalc Evangelistary

Godescalc Evangelistary

The Godescalc Evangelistary is one of the most beautiful and costly manuscripts from the Carolingian period to survive to the present. It was made at the behest of no less than Charlemagne (747/8–814) and his wife Hildegard (ca. 758–783) in the scriptorium of his Court School at Aachen between 781 and 783, and is furnished with particularly rich and noble materials. Stretching across 254 ages altogether, the text of the Gospel readings glimmers in precious gold and silver ink on purple parchment. The manuscript was introduced by six full-page miniatures showing the four Evangelists, Christ, and a fountain of life, while richly ornamented and sparkling initials accompany the entire text.

Noble Materials with Significance

A manuscript personally commissioned by Charlemagne is obviously going to be furnished with every art of painting and writing available at the time. Nevertheless, aside from its decorative purpose, the noble materials have a symbolic meaning: the splendid luminosity of gold, silver, and purple supposed to be reminiscent of the heavenly kingdom and eternal life.

First Class Miniatures Straight from Aachen

The luminous manuscript originated in the scriptorium of the Court School of Charlemagne in Aachen. Today, there are still eight complete manuscripts and a fragment originating from this scriptorium, of which the Godescalc Evangelistary is the oldest. The liturgical manuscript owes its name to the scribe Godescalc who accompanied Charlemagne on his journey to Italy.

Stylistic Variety of the Miniatures

The stylistic variety of the miniatures is extremely interesting to observe. One is able to find both Insular wickerwork patterns as well as antique-like wave bands and acanthus ornaments. This variety of motifs is appended by the already modeling use of color, which lends the figures and space more plasticity. This pursuit of a logical connection between the figures and the space in which they find themselves is style building for the subsequent works of the Aachen scriptorium.