Master Hugo

When Master Hugo (English Master Hugo) is known in the art history of the 12th century English artist. He worked as a book illustrator primarily in Bury St. Edmunds, England. There he painted in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Edmund in the reign of Abbot Anselm 1121-1148 on behalf of the sacristan Herveus a Bible manuscript. Hugo also be further assigned to plastic art. From the annals of the monastery its name and some of his works is known.

Life of the master

Master Hugo was not a monk but probably an itinerant artist. As the same time some other artists of his time, he was employed at the monastery, probably over several years, as it is repeatedly mentioned in the chronicles. Master Hugo is the oldest still known by name artists in England.

Style of the master

Hugo's masterpiece created based on Byzantine art book paintings are said to have heavily influenced the following painters him.

Works of the master

In addition to the book painting master Hugo also be attributed to other works of art in St. Edmund; e.g. it is demonstrably bronze doors cast there. A carved cross made of walrus ivory that is to come from St. Edmunds and today is owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has also been attributed to him by some experts.

The Bury Bible

The illuminated by Master Hugo and today as the Bury Bible known manuscript is located since 1575 in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in England. It is an important example of Romanesque book illumination from England in the time of the Normans. From the original two -volume work, only the first part has been preserved. Some of the six of probably originally more images are on separate sides painted parchment and then incorporated into the work. 42 painted initials are obtained.