Art History: Ottonian works

  • Christ Enthroned, from the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
    359

    Christ Enthroned, from the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus

    The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus is a marble Early Christian sarcophagus used for the burial of Junius Bassus, who died in 359. It has been described as "probably the single most famous piece of early Christian relief sculpture".
  • Ravenna,	San	Vitale, Emperor Justinian
    526

    Ravenna, San Vitale, Emperor Justinian

    The "Basilica of San Vitale" is a church in Ravenna, Italy, and one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe.
  • Coronation Gospels / Gospel Book of Charlemagne, St. Matthew
    800

    Coronation Gospels / Gospel Book of Charlemagne, St. Matthew

    The Coronation Gospels can justifiably be called the most important book of the Middle Ages, because it was present at every coronation of the kings of the Romans, at least from the twelfth century onwards.
  • Ebbo Gospels, St. Matthew
    816

    Ebbo Gospels, St. Matthew

    The Ebbo Gospels is an early Carolingian illuminated Gospel book known for an unusual, energetic style of illustration.
  • Scenes from Genesis: Adam and Eve Moutier-Grandval Bible
    830

    Scenes from Genesis: Adam and Eve Moutier-Grandval Bible

    The Moutier-Granval Bible is an illuminated manuscript bible of about 840, which was probably written in Tours, France, perhaps specially for the abbey. It was owned by them until the dissolution in the French Revolutionary Wars, when it was apparently forgotten and found in Delémont by children.
  • Otto	III Enthroned, Gospels of Otto III
    997

    Otto III Enthroned, Gospels of Otto III

    The Gospels of Otto III is a late 10th or early 11th century illuminated Gospel Book. The manuscript is a major example of Ottonian illumination.
  • St. Luke, Gospels of Otto III
    997

    St. Luke, Gospels of Otto III

    From the source of the fathers, the ox brings forth a flow of waters for the lambs.
  • Adoration	of the Magi, Lectionary of Henry II
    1002

    Adoration of the Magi, Lectionary of Henry II

    The picture portrays an angel announcing the news of Christ’s birth to shepherds.The angels extended arm is supposed to give it a sense of authority and instruction. Its gold background is influenced by Byzantine culture.
  • Bronze Doors of Bishop Bernward at St. Michael’s, Hildesheim Lord Confronting	Adam and Eve
    1015

    Bronze Doors of Bishop Bernward at St. Michael’s, Hildesheim Lord Confronting Adam and Eve

    A progressive feature of the figures on the Bernward Doors is their style of relief: the figures do not extend a uniform distance from the background, but 'lean' out from it, so that when seen side on they almost give the impression of "roses on a trellis, with nodding heads".
  • Bishop Bernward’s Bronze Doors, St. Michael’s, Hildesheim
    1015

    Bishop Bernward’s Bronze Doors, St. Michael’s, Hildesheim

    The Bernward Doors are the two leaves of a pair of Ottonian or Romanesque bronze doors, made c. 1015 for Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. They were commissioned by Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim.