Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Art and Design
The Second Bible Of Charles The Bald: Patronage And Intellectual Community At St. Amand, Riccardo Pizzinato
The Second Bible Of Charles The Bald: Patronage And Intellectual Community At St. Amand, Riccardo Pizzinato
School of Art & Design Faculty Publications and Presentations
Among the manuscripts produced for Charles the Bald, King of West Francia (843-77) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-77), the so-called Second Bible (Paris, BnF, MS Lat. 2) holds a special place. Illuminated in the scriptorium of the abbey of St. Amand between 870 and 873, the Bible—unlike all the other manuscripts presented to the king during this period—contains no human figures or royal portraits. It exhibits instead large initials patterned with geometric and zoomorphic designs. In addition, the volume opens with a long poem dedicated to Charles the Bald and written by Hucbald (ca. 840–930), master of the monastery school …