The Court School of Lothar I (Collection)

Sometimes referred to as Lothair, Lothar I (795-855) was the eldest son of the Emperor Louis the Pious (778-840) and succeeded him to the imperial throne as a ruling as King of Italy and Middle Francia. However, the struggles between he and his two brothers, between whom their father had attempted to divide their inheritance equally, would result in the breakup of the Frankish Empire and lead to the development of modern France and Germany. Despite this turbulence, the Court School at Aachen continued to produce fine works of art during his reign. These include classically styled portraits, figures, and depictions of zodiac symbols and other constellations. Similarly, canon tables with artful columns connected by rounded arches are capped with classical column capitals. The influence of Insular illumination is evident in the initials and interlace decorations that adorn the text. This boxed set thus represents a fine sampling of the artistic traditions that were being maintained by the Carolingians even as they were tearing their own empire apart.