MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - MA090.jpg

Category Manuscript
Origin: artist/workshop Catalonia
Date 15C/1
Reference No MS Rothschild 2529, f 374 (detail)
Size 6.1x6.1
Provenance Cistercian Abbey of Poblet
Present Location Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale
Bibliography Porcher 1950

Manuscrits Enluminee 1982, 107
Illustration From photo - Library
Other illustrations

Country Spain
Description:
Bernard depicted within the initial A(d sancti) in the sumptuously illuminated Breviary of Martin of Aragon (1396-1410), a bibliophile and the last king of Aragon of the Catalan line. This masterpiece of Catalan illumination can be perfectly dated and localized. In a letter of 17 February 1398 the king wrote to the abbot giving his precise liturgical requests as to its contents. Another letter acknowledged the abbot's reply and notes with pleasure that the work had been put in hand and promises the abbot that more parchment would be sent. The manuscript was written from c. 1398 and decorated by the illuminator, Domingo Crespi, in c. 1403. The historiated initial adorns the beginning of St Ambrose's Sermon read on the occasion of Bernard's feast day. He is shown seated on a stool, nimbed, carrying a crozier in his left hand, and wearing a grey cowl.