MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - MA025.jpg


Category	Manuscript
Origin: artist/workshop	Benedictine scriptorium, Liesborn
Date	12C/4
Reference No	MS theol. lat. fol. 347, f 1v (detail)
Size
Provenance	Liesborn
Present Location	Berlin, Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz
Bibliography	SBOp 1:3; Paffrath 1990, 83; Leclercq 1953, 41
	Brandis 1975, 84; France 1998, 109-10; Schmitt 1990, 158; Vaeth 2001, 86-7
Illustration From	photo - Library
Other illustrations	Brandis 1975, ill 118; France 1998, ill 67
	Paffrath 1990, 83; Vaeth 2001, col ill XVI
Country	Germany

Description:
One of the oldest representations of Bernard in the initial V(obis fratres) in a manuscript of Bernard's Sermons on the Song of Songs (opening of Sermon 1) from the Benedictine abbey of Liesborn dated c 1180. Evidence of the early dispersion of his works even outside the Order. The initial at the opening is formed by a dragon contained within a red and blue frame. At the top the bust of a nimbed figure with a simple pastoral staff in his left hand is identified by the inscription 'Bernardus abbas'. His right hand holds a curved scroll across his body which reads, 'Obey them that have the rule over you' (Hebrews 13:17), a quotation which found its way into his work three times. The dictate is addressed to the six monks contained within the circle formed by the dragon's tail who are looking up at Bernard their abbot in awe.

Description:

One of the oldest representations of Bernard in the initial V(obis fratres) in a manuscript of Bernard's Sermons on the Song of Songs (opening of Sermon 1) from the Benedictine abbey of Liesborn dated c 1180. Evidence of the early dispersion of his works even outside the Order. The initial at the opening is formed by a dragon contained within a red and blue frame. At the top the bust of a nimbed figure with a simple pastoral staff in his left hand is identified by the inscription 'Bernardus abbas'. His right hand holds a curved scroll across his body which reads, 'Obey them that have the rule over you' (Hebrews 13:17), a quotation which found its way into his work three times. The dictate is addressed to the six monks contained within the circle formed by the dragon's tail who are looking up at Bernard their abbot in awe.