<i>The Poetry and Paintings of the First Bible of Charles the Bald</i> (review)
Andrew Gillett
Reviews 201 Dutton, Paul Edward and Herbert Kessler, The Poetry Paintings of theFirst Bible ofCharles the Bald (Recentiores: Later Latin Texts an Contexts), A n Arbor, University Michigan Press, 1997; cloth; pp. xii, 137; 1figure;5 colour, 37b/w illustrations; R.R.P. US$67.00. In this compact work, Dutton Kessler set a cultural artefact Carolingian ninth century in series contexts, ranging from codicological to political cosmic. Their study reveals how intellectual traditions immediate economic concerns motivated artistic judgements scriptorium producing one most admired early medieval codices. collaborators happily join benefits their disciplines: scholar late antique art history, student literary produce enlightening role monastic reactions major issues politics. so-called 'First Charles Bald' is de luxe codex Old N e w Testaments, produced by monastery St-Martin Tours, presented Charles, grandson Charlemagne, 840s, young king's reign. given away its honorand as gift cathedral Metz 869, o rests Paris, enjoying shelf mark Bibliotheque Nationale, M S lat. 1. lavishly produced, featuring eight full page illuminations (seven at head individual books; eighth, placed very end, portraying, anticipation, presentation book king), plus seven pages poetry specifically for occasion Charles. Most also feature short poetic labels (tituli), some which were probably written ceremony offering king. 202 relationship between these poems illustrations, show that there was single 'architect' behind design whole codex, h was, what his motives were, he about achieving ends. significant portion Appendix, presents pictorial texts: poetry, edition original tituli (the standard Ludwig Traube's Monumenta Germaniae historica 1896) with facing-page English translation, followed line-by-line commentary notes; plates showing all illustrations five comparanda. Readers are rightly advised familiarise themselves contents appendix first, before beginning on preceding study. O basis vocabulary style, identify anonymous poet three dedicatory poems, new tituli, Audradus Modicus, priest canon St-Martins known have been involved production other manuscripts scriptorium, later author extensive collection Liber revelationum, discussed Dutton's Politics Dreaming Empire (1994). Audradus, it argued, notjust author, but closely directing illuminators imagery, making decisions rearrange traditional structure biblical accommodate vision poems. Through careful chronological reconstruction, authors 845, possibly Christmas, near end drawn-out negotiations king canons regarding property holdings, theirrightsto self-government through election abbot ranks. latter issue particularly topical. As nobles consolidated holdings offices each Frankish 203 kingdoms defined Treaty Verdun 843, withdrew others, Adelard, former Count Tours lay StMartins , ended tenure both positions course of...
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