Egbert-Psalter

The Egbert Psalter (also called " Gertrude Psalter " ) is a work of Ottonian book illumination and is one of the major works of this period. The manuscript is under the signature Cod 136 in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Cividale. Together with nine other works of the monastery of Reichenau, the manuscript was taken in 2003 by the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage list (see also the World Soundtrack Awards in Germany ).

The Codex

The parchment manuscript in the format 23.8 x 18.8 cm has 233 sheets. The book decoration includes, but 19 ​​full-page miniatures. Named the manuscript after the Archbishop Egbert of Trier ( 977-993 ). The founder of the Psalter image cycle comprises four full-page images. At first a monk Ruodbrecht presents the Psalter enthroned on the second picture Egbert. On the third dedication image Egbert handed over the manuscript to the enthroned on the last picture shown St. Peter, the patron saint of the Trier Cathedral.

At the beginning of the actual Psaltertextes is a representation of King David, this compared with a decorative side with the first letter of the first psalm. Before every tenth Psalm is a double decorative side, the take action against it only displays a former Bishop of Trier, an initial decorative side with the first letter of the next psalm. The series begins with the Holy Eucharius, Valerius and Maternus, who were sent according to legend, by Peter himself to Germania. The bishops and archbishops are all standing in prayer position shown with open up hands, partly arms spread, partly merged in front of the chest. Bishops wear a halo and all are called to be holy in the inscription. The unusual for a bishop Psalter series finds its explanation in the political claim of the bishops of Trier, to possess the primacy of the bishops of Gaul and Germania. A parallel series Bishop is located on the donated also by Egbert Peter rod.

The Psalter was probably around 980 in Trier or more likely in the Reichenau monastery and belongs to the so-called Ruodprecht group, which is named after the monk depicted on the founders image of the manuscript in which it may constitute the book artist. The Egbert - Codex applies in addition to the evangelistary the Abbey Poussay as the most important work of this group of manuscripts.

History of the manuscript

The manuscript, which was determined by the founders image for the Trier Cathedral, arrived in the 11th century in the possession of the Polish Princess Gertrude, the wife Isjaslaws I, after Russia. There the manuscript were added two layers with a calendar, prayers and miniatures in the Byzantine style, and on fol. 41r the image of the enthroned Madonna adds. In the 12th century the manuscript was owned by the family of Andechs -Meran, according to legend Elizabeth of Hungary should have used them. By Elizabeth's uncle, Berthold, Patriarch of Aquileija, the manuscript came to Cividale.