Reichenau Gospels

Reichenau Abbey, Lake Constance · mid-11th century · Latin · W.7

An Ottonian Gospel book that, by its script and painting, comes from the abbey on the island of Reichenau in Lake Constance, one of the great workshops of book painting around the year 1000. Gold capitals open every paragraph, a habit of Reichenau scribes. Each Gospel begins with two pages: the Evangelist under an arch with his symbol above, and facing him the first words in gold on purple.

All pages of the manuscript at OPenn

9 pages

Pages

fol. 9v · An abbot offers the book to Saint Peter, who holds the keys, inside a church with a lamp hanging from the roof — a picture of the gift of this very book, before the Gospel of Matthew.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
fol. 15v · Matthew writes in his book and looks up to his symbol, the angel, who appears in the half-moon of the arch above him.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
fol. 16r · «Initium sancti evangelii secundum Matthaeum» — the beginning of the holy Gospel according to Matthew — and, with a great gold L, «Liber generationis Iesu Christi», all in gold on purple.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
Matt 1:1This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
fol. 67v · Mark, quill in hand, sits under an arch of twisted columns; above him his symbol, the winged lion, holds a scroll.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
fol. 68r · The opening of Mark in gold on purple, with a large interlaced letter, and the words of the prophet that Mark quotes: «Ecce mitto angelum meum» — behold, I send my messenger.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
Mark 1:1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
fol. 107v · Luke bends over his writing desk; his symbol, the winged ox, looks down from the arch.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
fol. 108r · A great gold Q opens Luke’s Gospel: «Quoniam quidem multi conati sunt» — since many have undertaken to compose an account.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
Luke 1:1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
fol. 161v · John, young and beardless, writes in his book; his eagle stands in the arch above.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
fol. 162r · «In principio erat verbum» — in the beginning was the Word — around a gold interlaced I. The fold down the middle of the purple page is an old crease in the parchment.Walters Art Museum · W.7 · CC0
John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.