Picturing the Treasury: The Power of Objects and the Art of Memory in the Bernward Gospels
Jennifer P. Kingsley
The Gospel book known to German scholars as the "precious" Gospels of St. Bernward Hildesheim was produced under direction early eleventh-century bishop ofthat name, a patron perhaps better for pair bronze doors that represent most complex casting project since Antiquity. Despite manuscript's renown, many questions remain about and meaning its miniatures both individually parts program. dedicatory painting is key understanding pictures in it anticipates, on one hand, bishop's liturgical commemoration and, other, monks' intercessory prayers by engaging praxis o/memoria, multivalent medieval term memory refers equally mnemotechnics commemoration. codex draws cognitive ritual processes order decorate an object particular symbolic power, Gospels, venerated Word God made flesh, namely, Incarnate Christ. It does so notably translating well-known formula, treasury list, into pictorial form emphasizing power objects make saints present accessible. book's capacity predicated power.
Gesta