This is a study of the artistic and political context that led to the production of a truly exceptional Byzantine illustrated manuscript. Paris; Bibliothegrave;que Nationale de France; codex grec 54 is one of the most ambitious and complex manuscripts produced during the Byzantine era. This thirteenth-century Greek and Latin Gospel book features full-page evangelist portraits; an extensive narrative cycle; and unique polychromatic texts. However; it has never been the subject of a comprehensive study and the circumstances of its commission are unknown. In this book Kathleen Maxwell addresses the following questions: what circumstances led to the creation of Paris 54? Who commissioned it and for what purpose? How was a deluxe manuscript such as this produced? Why was it left unfinished? How does it relate to other Byzantine illustrated Gospel books? Paris 54s innovations are a testament to the extraordinary circumstances of its commission. Maxwells multi-disciplinary approach includes codicological and paleographical evidence together with New Testament textual criticism; artistic and historical analysis. She concludes that Paris 54 was never intended to copy any other manuscript. Rather; it was designed to eclipse its contemporaries and to physically embody a new relationship between Constantinople and the Latin West; as envisioned by its patron. Analysis of Paris 54s texts and miniature cycle indicates that it was created at the behest of a Byzantine emperor as a gift to a pope; in conjunction with imperial efforts to unify the Latin and Orthodox churches. As such; Paris 54 is a unique witness to early Palaeologan attempts to achieve church union with Rome.
#1077382 in eBooks 2016-11-21 2016-11-21File Name: B01MXZ1VIS
Review
