Between Constantinople and Rome: An Illuminated Byzantine Gospel Book (Paris gr. 54) and the Union of Churches

392 Pages·2016·96.882 MB·English

by  Kathleen Maxwell

between constantinople and rome
This is a study of the artistic and political context that led to the production
of a truly exceptional Byzantine illustrated manuscript. Paris, Bibliothèque
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 54’s innovations are a testament to the extraordinary circumstances of its
commission. Maxwell’s 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 54’s 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.
Kathleen Maxwell is Associate Professor in the Department of
Art and Art History, Santa Clara University, USA.
For
Paul Missiroli Sullam
and
Juliana, Angelica, and Mariella Sullam
Between Constantinople and Rome
An Illuminated Byzantine Gospel Book (Paris gr. 54)
and the Union of Churches
Kathleen Maxwell
R
OU Routledge
T
L
E
D Taylor & Francis Group
G
E
LONDONA ND NEWY ORK
First published 2014 by Ashgate Publishing
Published 2016 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
Copyright © Kathleen Maxwell 2014
Kathleen Maxwell has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988,
to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
Notice:
Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:
Maxwell, Kathleen, 1952–
Between Constantinople and Rome : An Illuminated Byzantine Gospel Book (Paris gr. 54)
and the Union of Churches / By Kathleen Maxwell.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4094-5744-2 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Bible. Gospels—Illustrations. 2. Bibliothhque nationale de France. Manuscript. Graecus 54.
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Byzantine. 4. Christian union—Orthodox Eastern
Church. 5. Christian union—Catholic Church. I. Title.
ND3359.B535M39 2014
745.6'7487—dc23
2013035991
ISBN 9781409457442 (hbk)
Contents
List of Plates vii
List of Figures and Tables xi
Acknowledgments xiii
List of Abbreviations xvii
1 Introduction 1
2 Paris 54: Codicological and Paleographical Considerations 11
3 Paris 54: Modus Operandi of Scribes and Artists 33
4 The Greek Gospel Text of Paris 54 and New Testament
Textual Criticism 51
5 The Three Artists Responsible for the Narrative Miniatures and
Evangelist Portraits of Paris 54 83
6 Imitation and Innovation: A Comparative Study of the Narrative
Cycles and Evangelist Portraits of Paris 54 and Athos, Iviron 5 101
7 Paris 54’s Place in Thirteenth-century Constantinopolitan
Book Illumination 145
8 Art and Diplomacy in Late Thirteenth-century Constantinople:
Paris 54 and the Union of Churches 175
9 Epilogue: From Constantinople to Catherine de Medici 217
Appendix A: Description of Contents of Paris 54 229
Appendix B: Lineation Scheme for Paris 54 235
vi Between Constantinople and Rome
Appendix C: A Comparative Study of the Texts of Matthew of Paris 54,
Iviron 5, and Garrett 3 237
Bibliography 265
List of Miniatures in Paris 54 289
List of Manuscripts Referred to by Gregory/Aland Number 291
Paris 54: List of Manuscripts by Geographical Location 293
Index 299
List of Plates
Please note that color plates are in Roman numerals and black and white
plates are in Arabic numerals.
Color Plates
I Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Portrait of the XII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Descent from
Evangelist Matthew, fol. 10v the Cross, fol. 107r
II Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Beginning of the XIII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Holy
Gospel of Matthew, fol. 11r Women at the Sepulcher, fol. 108r
III Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Nativity, XIV Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Portrait of the
fol. 13v Evangelist Mark, fol. 111r
IV Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Woman with XV Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Healing of
the Hemorrhage, fol. 35v Peter’s Mother-in-Law, fol. 114v
V Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Miracle of the XVI Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Healing of
Loaves, fol. 55r the Leper, fol. 115v
VI Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Wedding XVII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Christ Stilling
Feast of the King’s Son, fol. 80r the Water, fol. 124v
VII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Parable of the XVIII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Exorcism
Wise and Foolish Virgins, fol. 91r of the Gerasene Demoniac, fol. 125v
VIII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Last Supper, XIX Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Portrait of the
fol. 96v Evangelist Luke, fol. 173r
IX Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Betrayal, XX Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The
fol. 99r Annunciation, fol. 176r
X Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Denial of Peter, XXI Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Baptism,
fol. 101r fol. 186v
XI Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Remorse of XXII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Healing of
Peter, fol. 102r the Paralytic, fol. 193v
viii between constantinople and rome
XXIII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Healing of the 8 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, first uninitiated
Son of the Widow of Naim, fol. 201r miniature, fol. 142r
XXIV Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Christ Asleep 9 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Visitation, fol.
in the Boat, fol. 207r 177v
XXV Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The 10 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Presentation,
Transfiguration, fol. 213r fol. 182r
XXVI Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Portrait of the 11 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Anointing of
Evangelist John, fol. 278v Christ’s Feet, fol. 203v
XXVII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, Beginning of 12 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, first appearance of
the Gospel of John, fol. 279r second Greek scribe, fol. 234r
XXVIII Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The 13 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page with
Samaritan Woman at the Well, fol. 289r uninitiated miniature, fol. 247r
XXIX Athos, Iviron 5, The 14 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page with
Transfiguration, fol. 269v uninitiated miniature, fol. 247v
XXX Athos, Iviron 5, Portrait of the 15 Athos, Iviron 5, The Miracle of the
Evangelist Mark, fol. 136v Loaves, fol. 63v
XXXI Athos, Iviron 5, Portrait of the 16 Athos, Iviron 5, The Wedding Feast
Evangelist John, fol. 357v of the King’s Son, fol. 94v
XXXII Athos, Iviron 5, The Samaritan 17 Athos, Iviron 5, The Last Supper,
Woman at the Well, fol. 371r fol. 117r
XXXIII Princeton University Library, 18 Athos, Iviron 5, The Descent from
Garrett 3, fol. 238v the Cross, fol. 129v
19 Athos, Iviron 5, The Holy Women at
the Sepulcher, fol. 130v
Black and White Plates
20 Athos, Iviron 5, The Baptism, fol. 138v
1 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page, fol. 16r
21 Athos, Iviron 5, Peter’s Mother-in-
2 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page, fol. 16v law, fol. 141r
3 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, The Exorcism of the 22 Athos, Iviron 5, The Healing of the
Gadarene Demoniacs, fol. 32v Leper, fol. 142r
4 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page with 23 Athos, Iviron 5, The Annunciation,
erasure on lines 20–21 of Greek text, fol. 63r fol. 222r
5 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page showing 24 Athos, Iviron 5, The Woman with
grouped minims, fol. 86r the Hemorrhage, fol. 38v
6 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, page missing 26 25 Athos, Iviron 5, The Man with
words in Greek text, fol. 89v Dropsy, fol. 299v
7 Paris, BnF, gr. 54, text page showing 26 Princeton University Library,
later Latin hand, fol. 121r Garrett 3, Nativity text, fol. 6v