Material Value and Immaterial Vision: The Role of Real and Represented Gems in the Gospels of Saint-Médard of Soissons
Amanda Sciampacone
Produced during a period in which images were seen as inferior to words, and circulated accessed by an educated wealthy Carolingian elite, the Gospels of Saint-Médard Soissons displayed excess matter. From vellum pages painted with portraits evangelists framed precious stones engraved gems ivory or gold jeweled covers, physical substance book asserted sacredness Scripture aided viewer comprehending invisible, heavenly realm. However, is argued, juxtaposition real represented also troubled viewer’s access God confronting multiple contradictory materialities. As result, revealed insufficiency material picture spiritual, forced struggle through these materialities order transcend them approach correct path—immaterial, intellectual vision.
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies